Uramphite is an extremely rare ammonium uranyl phosphate mineral that typically forms as bright emerald green, thin platy crystals. It is a secondary mineral found in the oxidation zones of uranium-bearing deposits, often mistaken for similar-looking autunite or torbernite.

Hardness

2-2.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Greenish white

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrare

Uramphite

Hardness: 2-2.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Greenish white
Transparency: Semitransparent

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Is this uramphite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch uramphite with a known reference. Uramphite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: greenish white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: bottle green, light green.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: encrustations.

Often confused with

Uramphite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Autunite

Mohs 2-2.5

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Uramphite leaves greenish white, Autunite leaves pale yellow.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Uramphite leaves greenish white, Torbernite leaves pale green.

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Often found alongside uramphite

Minerals reported to co-occur with uramphite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: (NH₄)(UO₂)(PO₄)·3H₂O
Mohs hardness: 2-2.5
Density: 3.7 g/cm³
Colors: Bottle greenLight green
Streak: Greenish white
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Crystal habit: Encrustations
Cleavage: Distinct in two directions
Fluorescence: Medium yellow-green under SW and LW UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In the oxidized zone of a uranium-coal deposit, in fractures in the coal at depths between 20 and 50 m

Where rockhounds find uramphite

Classic worldwide localities

Tura-Kavak uranium-coal deposit, Kyrgyzstan

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In the oxidized zone of a uranium-coal deposit, in fractures in the coal at depths between 20 and 50 m. If you start seeing uraninite, limonite, other secondary uranium minerals in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: encrustations. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify uramphite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-2.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is greenish white. Common colors include bottle green, light green.

Where is uramphite found?+

Notable localities include Tura-Kavak uranium-coal deposit, Kyrgyzstan.

Is uramphite safe to handle?+

Uramphite contains uranium or thorium and calls for real care. Contains uranium and phosphorus; radioactive and potentially toxic if ingested or inhaled. Handle with gloves and wash hands thoroughly after handling. Store in a lead-lined container or keep away from other samples.

What rocks look like uramphite?+

Uramphite is most often confused with Autunite, Torbernite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with uramphite?+

Uramphite commonly co-occurs with Uraninite, Limonite, Other secondary uranium minerals. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does uramphite form in?+

Where it forms: In the oxidized zone of a uranium-coal deposit, in fractures in the coal at depths between 20 and 50 m. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is uramphite used for?+

Uramphite is used in collector.

Find uramphite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.