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 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Vandenbrandeite leaves a light green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Vandenbrandeite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, dark green, emerald green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular, aggregates.
Often confused with
Vandenbrandeite 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. 3); streak differs — Vandenbrandeite leaves light green, Kasolite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous on Vandenbrandeite and greasy on Kasolite.
How to tell apart: Curite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5 vs. 3); streak differs — Vandenbrandeite leaves light green, Curite leaves orange; luster reads vitreous on Vandenbrandeite and adamantine on Curite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Vandenbrandeite leaves light 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
- 3
- Density
- 5.02 g/cm³
- Streak
- Light Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Tabular, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Uranium Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find vandenbrandeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Shinkolobwe Mine, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Musonoi Mine, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized uranium ore deposits country — that is the host setting where vandenbrandeite typically forms. If you start seeing curite, kasolite, becquerelite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, tabular, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find vandenbrandeite on the map
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