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. Vyacheslavite leaves a light green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Vyacheslavite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, olive-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: radial aggregates, crusts, tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Vyacheslavite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Vyacheslavite leaves light green, Vivianite leaves white to light blue.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Vyacheslavite leaves light green, Autunite leaves pale yellow; luster reads vitreous on Vyacheslavite and pearly on Autunite.
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
- U⁴⁺(PO₄)(OH)·2H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 2-3
- Density
- 2.7-2.9 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Radial Aggregates, Crusts, Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Sedimentary Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300+ per specimen
Where rockhounds find vyacheslavite
Classic worldwide localities
- Vyacheslav deposit, Kazakhstan
Field-hunting tip
Look in sedimentary deposits country — that is the host setting where vyacheslavite typically forms. If you start seeing ningyoite, uraninite, iron phosphates in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a radial aggregates, crusts, tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find vyacheslavite on the map
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