Vyacheslavite is an exceptionally rare uranium phosphate mineral often found as radial green crusts or small aggregates. It is primarily identified through its specific geological association in sedimentary uranium deposits and its characteristic radioactive properties.
Is this vyacheslavite?
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 vyacheslavite with a known reference. Vyacheslavite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: aggregates, spherical, tabular.
Often confused with
Vyacheslavite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside vyacheslavite
Minerals reported to co-occur with vyacheslavite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- U(PO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 4.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, spherical, tabular
- Cleavage
- On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral in uranium deposits
Where rockhounds find vyacheslavite
Classic worldwide localities
- Dzhantuar and Rudnoye uranium deposits, Auminzatau Mountains, central Kyzylkum region, Uzbekistan
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral in uranium deposits. If you start seeing uraninite, ningyoite, sphalerite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, spherical, tabular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find vyacheslavite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
