Upalite is a rare aluminum uranium phosphate that forms amber-yellow acicular to fibrous crystals. It is a rare secondary mineral in the oxidized uraniferous zone of a complex granite pegmatite. Associated minerals include meta-autunite, phosphuranylite and threadgoldite. It was first described from the Kobokobo pegmatite, Lusungu River district, Kivu Province, Congo (Zaire).
Is this upalite?
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 upalite with a known reference. Upalite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: brownish yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular to fibrous crystals.
Often confused with
Upalite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Upalite leaves light yellow, Autunite leaves pale yellow; luster reads dull on Upalite and vitreous, pearly on {001} on Autunite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Upalite leaves light yellow, Meta-autunite leaves yellow; luster reads dull on Upalite and pearly to dull on Meta-autunite.
Often found alongside upalite
Minerals reported to co-occur with upalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al(UO₂)₃(PO₄)₂O(OH)·7H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 3.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light yellow
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular to fibrous crystals
- Cleavage
- On {010}, distinct
- Fluorescence
- Bright green under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized uraniferous zone of a complex granite pegmatite
Where rockhounds find upalite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kobokobo pegmatite, Lusungu River district, Kivu Province, Congo (Zaire)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxidized uraniferous zone of a complex granite pegmatite. If you start seeing meta-autunite, phosphuranylite, threadgoldite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular to fibrous crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify upalite?+
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Find upalite on the map
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