Uvanite is a rare secondary uranium vanadate mineral typically found as earthy yellow coatings on sandstone. It forms in the oxidized zones of uranium-vanadium deposits and is highly prized by specialists in radioactive mineral species.
Is this uvanite?
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 uvanite with a known reference. Uvanite sits at Mohs 1.5-2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Uvanite leaves a yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Uvanite typically shows a earthy luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish-yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: massive, powdery, or earthy coatings.
Often confused with
Uvanite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside uvanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with uvanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- U₂V₆O₂₁·15H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5-2
- Density
- 3.5-4.0 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Earthy
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Powdery, Or Earthy Coatings
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sandstone
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find uvanite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Utah (USA)
- Colorado (USA)
Field-hunting tip
Look in sandstone country — that is the host setting where uvanite typically forms. If you start seeing carnotite, tyuyamunite, pascoite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, powdery, or earthy coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Utah — start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify uvanite?+
Where is uvanite found?+
Can I find uvanite in the United States?+
How much is uvanite worth?+
Is uvanite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like uvanite?+
What minerals are found with uvanite?+
What kind of rock does uvanite form in?+
What is uvanite used for?+
Find uvanite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
