Vochtenite is a rare phosphate mineral in the autunite group typically found as thin, yellow to brownish-yellow platy crystals. It is primarily known from the oxidation zones of uranium-bearing pegmatites and is highly sought after by advanced radioactive mineral collectors.
Is this vochtenite?
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 vochtenite with a known reference. Vochtenite sits at Mohs 2.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Vochtenite leaves a pale yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Vochtenite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, brownish yellow, greenish yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Vochtenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Vochtenite and pearly on Autunite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Vochtenite leaves pale yellow, Torbernite leaves pale green.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Vochtenite leaves pale yellow, Meta-autunite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous on Vochtenite and pearly on Meta-autunite.
Often found alongside vochtenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vochtenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Fe²⁺,Mg)Fe³⁺(UO₂)₄(PO₄)₄(OH)·12-13H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 3.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- Pale Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {001}
- Fluorescence
- Bright Yellow-green Under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find vochtenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Kobokobo pegmatite, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where vochtenite typically forms. If you start seeing phosphuranylite, meta-autunite, torbernite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find vochtenite on the map
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