Xiangjiangite is a rare secondary uranium mineral typically found as small, vibrant yellow platy crystals or coatings in oxidized uranium deposits. It is best identified through its distinct fluorescence under UV light and its association with other primary uranium ores. Collectors should exercise extreme caution due to its significant radioactivity.
Is this xiangjiangite?
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 xiangjiangite with a known reference. Xiangjiangite sits at Mohs 1-2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: pale yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: silky.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, bright yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, platy.
Often confused with
Xiangjiangite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads silky on Xiangjiangite and vitreous, pearly on {001} on Autunite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Xiangjiangite leaves pale yellow, Meta-autunite leaves yellow; luster reads silky on Xiangjiangite and pearly to dull on Meta-autunite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads silky on Xiangjiangite and vitreous, subadamantine, waxy, pearly on cleavages; becoming dull on dehydration to metatorbernite on Torbernite.
Often found alongside xiangjiangite
Minerals reported to co-occur with xiangjiangite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Fe(UO₂)₄(PO₄)₂(SO₄)₂(OH)·22H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 1-2
- Density
- 2.9-3.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Pale yellow
- Luster
- Silky
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals, platy
- Cleavage
- Perfect basal
- Fluorescence
- Bright yellow-green under UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In the oxidized zone of a uranium deposit
Where rockhounds find xiangjiangite
Classic worldwide localities
- Xiangjiang River, Hunan, China (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In the oxidized zone of a uranium deposit. If you start seeing sabugalite, variscite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, platy. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find xiangjiangite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
