Voglite is a rare secondary uranium mineral that forms distinct, vibrant green crusts or small crystalline aggregates in the oxidation zones of uranium deposits. Collectors should look for its association with other uranyl carbonates on oxidized uranium ore, often occurring as delicate, needle-like formations.
Is this voglite?
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 voglite with a known reference. Voglite 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. Streak: pale green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly on cleavages.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: emerald green, bright grass green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: scaly.
Often confused with
Voglite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Voglite leaves pale green, Liebigite leaves yellow white; luster reads pearly on cleavages on Voglite and vitreous to pearly on cleavages on Liebigite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Voglite leaves pale green, Andersonite leaves white; luster reads pearly on cleavages on Voglite and vitreous to pearly on Andersonite.
Often found alongside voglite
Minerals reported to co-occur with voglite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Cu(UO₂)(CO₃)₄·6H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.8 g/cm³
- Colors
- Emerald greenBright grass green
- Streak
- Pale green
- Luster
- Pearly on cleavages
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Scaly
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare oxidation product of uraninite
Where rockhounds find voglite
Classic worldwide localities
- White Canyon No. 1 mine, Frey Point, San Juan Co., Utah, USA
- A prospect near the Red Mesa Trading Post, Red Mesa district, Navajo Co., Arizona, USA
- Eliáš mine, Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare oxidation product of uraninite. If you start seeing liebigite, cuprosklodowskite, rösslerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: scaly. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify voglite?+
Where is voglite found?+
Is voglite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like voglite?+
What minerals are found with voglite?+
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What is voglite used for?+
Find voglite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
