Vandenbrandeite is a rare copper-uranium mineral typically found as emerald-green platy or tabular crystals in oxidized zones of uranium deposits. It is a prized specimen for radioactive mineral collectors, most famously originating from the Shinkolobwe mine in the Congo.
Is this vandenbrandeite?
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 vandenbrandeite with a known reference. Vandenbrandeite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, black green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: scaly, tabular.
Often confused with
Vandenbrandeite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vandenbrandeite leaves green, Kasolite leaves pale yellow-brown; luster reads vitreous on Vandenbrandeite and subadamantine to greasy, dull to earthy when massive on Kasolite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vandenbrandeite leaves green, Curite leaves orange; luster reads vitreous on Vandenbrandeite and adamantine on Curite.
How to tell apart: Vandenbrandeite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs, so Vandenbrandeite leaves green, Torbernite leaves pale green.
Often found alongside vandenbrandeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vandenbrandeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuUO₄·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 4.91-5.03 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent, transparent in thin fragments
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Scaly, tabular
- Cleavage
- {110}, perfect; two others, in the [001] zone, indistinct
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in the oxide zone of hydrothermal copper-bearing uranium deposits
Where rockhounds find vandenbrandeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Congo (Zaire), in Katanga (Shaba) Province, from the Luiswishi mine
- Musonoi mine, near Kolwezi
- Rabéjac uranium deposit, seven km south-southeast of Lodève, Hérault, France
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in the oxide zone of hydrothermal copper-bearing uranium deposits. If you start seeing cuprosklodowskite, kasolite, sklodowskite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: scaly, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vandenbrandeite?+
Where is vandenbrandeite found?+
Is vandenbrandeite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like vandenbrandeite?+
What minerals are found with vandenbrandeite?+
What kind of rock does vandenbrandeite form in?+
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Find vandenbrandeite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
