How do I identify Metarauchite?

Metarauchite can be identified by its hardness of 2 on the Mohs scale, Yellow to light greenish yellow color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Metarauchite?

Metarauchite typically appears in Yellow to light greenish yellow. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Metarauchite?

Metarauchite has a hardness of 2 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a soft mineral that can be scratched easily.

Metarauchite

A variety of Minerals

What is Metarauchite?

Metarauchite is a member of the autunite group, found at the Jáchymov ore district (type locality), Czech Republic and in Schneeberg, Germany. Metarauchite is a member of the Autunite Group, which is a group of structured uranyl phosphates and arsenates, the other members of the group are Autunite, Bassetite, Heinrichite, Kahlerite, Nováčekite-I, Nováčekite-II, Rauchite, Sabugalite, Saléeite, Torbernite, Uranocircite, Uranospinite, Zeunerite. The mineral is named after Czech mineral collector Luděk Rauch, who died in the Jáchymov mines during mineral prospecting.

Metarauchite Market Value Calculator

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

Metarauchite Localities Map

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

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North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Characteristics of Metarauchite

Metarauchite exhibits yellow to light greenish-yellow crystals, up to 0.8 mm in size, these crystals are transparent to translucent and display vitreous to pearly luster. It exhibits a hardness of 2 on the Moh's Hardness Scale. Displays thick tabular crystals, with a prevalent pinacoid (011). Metarauchite is very brittle and shows perfect cleavage along the {011} plane. Metarauchite does not exhibit fluorescence either in short- and long-wavelength ultraviolet radiation. The density of metarauchite is not easily measured because of the relatively small size of most of its crystals; hence only the calculated density from the unit cell parameters and empirical formula was obtained, giving the value 3.81 g/cm .

Formation of Metarauchite

Metarauchite occurs as a secondary mineral in strongly oxidized polymetallic vein material. Metarauchite is found primarily in two localities, the northern part of the Jáchymov ore district, northwestern Bohemia, Czech Republic and the Adam Heber mine, Neustädtel, Germany. It is commonly associated with metazeunerite, erythrite, and gypsum (Jáchymov) and Ni-bearing metanováčekite, metazeunerite, pharmacosiderite (Schneeberg). Both localities have a surface containing strongly altered aggregates of primary ore with relics of uraninite, arsenopyrite and nickelskutterudite and traces of native bismuth at the Schweitzer vein in the Eduard mine.