Vandendriesscheite is a secondary uranium mineral often found as bright orange to yellow tabular or platy crystals in the oxidation zones of uranium deposits. Due to its intense radioactivity and lead content, it is strictly for advanced collectors who follow rigorous safety protocols.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Adamantine

Streak

Yellow

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrare

Vandendriesscheite

Hardness: 3
Luster: Adamantine
Streak: Yellow
Transparency: Transparent

No image

Is this vandendriesscheite?

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 vandendriesscheite with a known reference. Vandendriesscheite sits at Mohs 3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellow.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: adamantine.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: brownish yellow, yellow orange.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular, massive.

Often confused with

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

mineral

Curite

Mohs 4-5

How to tell apart: Curite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5 vs. 3); streak differs, so Vandendriesscheite leaves yellow, Curite leaves orange.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vandendriesscheite leaves yellow, Fourmarierite leaves orange.

Often found alongside vandendriesscheite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Pb₁₋₁₆(UO₂)₁₀O₆(OH)₁₂·11H₂O
Mohs hardness: 3
Density: 5.45-5.46 g/cm³
Colors: Brownish yellow Yellow orange
Streak: Yellow
Luster: Adamantine
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Platy crystals, tabular, massive
Cleavage: {001}, perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In the oxidized zone of uranium-bearing mineral deposits

Where rockhounds find vandendriesscheite

Classic worldwide localities

Monument No. 2 mine, Monument Valley, Apache Co., Arizona, USA
Leiper’s quarry, Avondale, Delaware Co., Pennsylvania, USA
Ruggles mine, Grafton, and the Palermo mine, near North Groton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA
Shinkolobwe, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire)
Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada
Southwick Cliffs, near Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In the oxidized zone of uranium-bearing mineral deposits. If you start seeing metavandendriesscheite, fourmarierite, becquerelite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, tabular, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify vandendriesscheite?+

Mohs hardness is 3. Luster: adamantine. The streak is yellow. Common colors include brownish yellow, yellow orange.

Where is vandendriesscheite found?+

Notable localities include Monument No. 2 mine, Monument Valley, Apache Co., Arizona, USA; Leiper’s quarry, Avondale, Delaware Co., Pennsylvania, USA; Ruggles mine, Grafton, and the Palermo mine, near North Groton, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, USA; Shinkolobwe, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire); Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada.

Is vandendriesscheite safe to handle?+

Vandendriesscheite contains lead and uranium or thorium and calls for real care. This mineral is radioactive and contains lead. Always store in a labeled, shielded container and wash hands thoroughly after handling. Avoid dust inhalation.

What rocks look like vandendriesscheite?+

Vandendriesscheite is most often confused with Curite, Fourmarierite, Becquerelite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with vandendriesscheite?+

Vandendriesscheite commonly co-occurs with Metavandendriesscheite, Fourmarierite, Becquerelite, Metatorbernite, Rutherfordine, Uraninite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does vandendriesscheite form in?+

Where it forms: In the oxidized zone of uranium-bearing mineral deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is vandendriesscheite used for?+

Vandendriesscheite is used in collector.

Find vandendriesscheite on the map

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