Čejkaite is an extremely rare secondary uranium carbonate mineral found primarily in the Jachymov mining district. It typically forms thin tabular crystals or delicate crusts and is identified by its association with other secondary uranium minerals in oxidized zones.
Is this čejkaite?
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 čejkaite with a known reference. Čejkaite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Čejkaite leaves a light yellow streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Čejkaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, pale yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, crusts, radial aggregates.
Often confused with
Čejkaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside čejkaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with čejkaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Na₄(UO₂)(CO₃)₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.67 g/cm³
- Streak
- Light Yellow
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Crusts, Radial Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Good On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Uranium-rich Hydrothermal Deposits
Where rockhounds find čejkaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Jachymov, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized uranium-rich hydrothermal deposits country, the host setting where čejkaite typically forms. If you start seeing uraninite, schröckingerite, metakahlerite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, crusts, radial aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find čejkaite on the map
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