Wyartite is a very rare secondary uranium mineral typically found as small, vibrant green prismatic to acicular crystal sprays. It is almost exclusively found in association with other complex uranium oxides and carbonates in the oxidation zones of uranium-rich ore bodies.
Is this wyartite?
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 wyartite with a known reference. Wyartite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wyartite leaves a yellowish-green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wyartite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellow-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular or prismatic crystals, radiating aggregates.
Often confused with
Wyartite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Wyartite leaves yellowish-green, Vandenbrandeite leaves light green.
How to tell apart: Curite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5 vs. 3); streak differs — Wyartite leaves yellowish-green, Curite leaves orange; luster reads vitreous on Wyartite and adamantine on Curite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Wyartite leaves yellowish-green, Becquerelite leaves yellow; luster reads vitreous on Wyartite and adamantine on Becquerelite.
Often found alongside wyartite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wyartite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaU(UO₂)₂(CO₃)₄(OH)₂·15H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 5.3 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellowish-green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular or Prismatic Crystals, Radiating Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Uranium Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500+ depending on crystal size and matrix quality
Where rockhounds find wyartite
Classic worldwide localities
- Shinkolobwe Mine, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of uranium deposits country — that is the host setting where wyartite typically forms. If you start seeing vandenbrandeite, curite, becquerelite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular or prismatic crystals, radiating aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find wyartite on the map
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