Swamboite-(Nd) is a rare secondary uranium mineral found primarily at the Swambo deposit in the Congo. It typically forms delicate, yellow-orange platy crystals or radiating sprays within uranium-rich hydrothermal deposits. Due to its radioactive nature and extreme rarity, it is highly sought after by advanced radioactive mineral collectors.
Is this swamboite-(nd)?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch swamboite-(nd) with a known reference. Swamboite-(Nd) sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, yellow-orange.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, radial aggregates, crusts.
Often confused with
Swamboite-(Nd) vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Kasolite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5 vs. 2-3); luster reads pearly on Swamboite-(Nd) and subadamantine to greasy, dull to earthy when massive on Kasolite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Swamboite-(Nd) and vitreous to adamantine, dull when earthy on Soddyite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Swamboite-(Nd) leaves pale yellow, Boltwoodite leaves white.
Often found alongside swamboite-(nd)
Minerals reported to co-occur with swamboite-(nd). Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Nd₀.₃₃₃[(UO₂)(SiO₃OH)](H₂O)~2.5
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 3.85 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale yellow
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, radial aggregates, crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect in one direction
- Fluorescence
- Bright yellow-green under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- uranium-bearing hydrothermal veins
Where rockhounds find swamboite-(nd)
Classic worldwide localities
- Swambo deposit, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: uranium-bearing hydrothermal veins. If you start seeing uraninite, kasolite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, radial aggregates, crusts. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify swamboite-(nd)?+
Where is swamboite-(nd) found?+
Is swamboite-(nd) safe to handle?+
What rocks look like swamboite-(nd)?+
What minerals are found with swamboite-(nd)?+
What kind of rock does swamboite-(nd) form in?+
What is swamboite-(nd) used for?+
Find swamboite-(nd) on the map
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