Vanuralite is a rare secondary uranium-vanadium mineral typically found as bright yellow platy crystals or thin crusts in the oxidized zones of uranium deposits. Collectors should look for its distinctive pearly luster and association with other secondary uranium minerals in oxidized ore bodies.
Is this vanuralite?
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 vanuralite with a known reference. Vanuralite sits at Mohs ~2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lemon.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Vanuralite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Vanuralite leaves light yellow, Carnotite leaves strontian-yellow; luster reads vitreous on Vanuralite and dull, earthy; silky when crystalline on Carnotite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Vanuralite and adamantine, pearly on {001}, may be dull to waxy if massive on Tyuyamunite.
Often found alongside vanuralite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vanuralite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al(UO₂)₂(VO₄)₂(OH)·8.5H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- ~2
- Density
- 3.62 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the oxidized zone of a lead-bearing U–V deposit (Mounana mine, Gabon)
Where rockhounds find vanuralite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mounana uranium mine, Franceville, Gabon
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the oxidized zone of a lead-bearing U–V deposit (Mounana mine, Gabon). If you start seeing metavanuralite, francevillite, curienite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify vanuralite?+
Where is vanuralite found?+
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What rocks look like vanuralite?+
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Find vanuralite on the map
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