How do I identify Bayleyite?

Bayleyite can be identified by its Yellow color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Bayleyite?

Bayleyite typically appears in Yellow, whitish yellow. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

Bayleyite

A variety of Minerals

What is Bayleyite?

Bayleyite is a uranium carbonate mineral with the chemical formula: Mg2(UO2)(CO3)3·18(H2O). It is a secondary mineral which contains magnesium, uranium and carbon. It is a bright yellow color. Its crystal habit is acicular but is more commonly found as crusts on uranium bearing ores. It has a Mohs hardness of about 2-2.5.

Bayleyite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Bayleyite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Bayleyite Localities Map

See where Bayleyite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

Map preview

North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Formation of Bayleyite

It was first described in 1948 for an occurrence in the Hillside mine, north of Bagdad, Yavapai County, Arizona and named for mineralogist William Shirley Bayley (1861–1943) of the University of Illinois. It occurs as an efflorescence or coating on other secondary minerals and often is deposited on mine walls and workings. It occurs with schrockingerite, andersonite, swartzite and gypsum in the Hillside mine; with schrockingerite and gypsum in the Hideout mine in Utah; and with tyuyamunite, uranophane, liebigite and carnotite in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming.