Rauvite is a rare secondary uranium-vanadium mineral typically found as earthy or botryoidal coatings on sandstone. Its distinct purple to violet coloration makes it a sought-after rarity for radioactive mineral collectors, though it is usually found in small, micro-crystalline amounts.

Luster

Adamantine to Waxy

Streak

Yellowish Brown to Olive

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Rauvite

Luster: Adamantine to Waxy
Streak: Yellowish Brown to Olive
Transparency: Translucent

Is this rauvite?

4-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Rauvite leaves a yellowish brown to olive streak.
2
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Rauvite typically shows a adamantine to waxy luster.
3
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: purplish black, bluish black, brownish red, brownish yellow-orange.
4
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: botryoidal, crusts, earthy coatings.

Often confused with

Rauvite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Carnotite

Mohs 2

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Rauvite leaves yellowish brown to olive, Carnotite leaves yellow; luster reads adamantine to waxy on Rauvite and dull on Carnotite.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Rauvite leaves yellowish brown to olive, Tyuyamunite leaves yellow; luster reads adamantine to waxy on Rauvite and pearly on Tyuyamunite.

Compare →

Often found alongside rauvite

Minerals reported to co-occur with rauvite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Ca(UO₂)₂(V₁₀O₂₈)·16H₂O
Density: 2.92 g/cm³
Colors: Purplish Black Bluish Black Brownish Red Brownish Yellow-orange
Streak: Yellowish Brown to Olive
Luster: Adamantine to Waxy
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Botryoidal, Crusts, Earthy Coatings
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Sandstone Hosted Uranium-vanadium Deposits

Where rockhounds find rauvite

Classic worldwide localities

Utah (USA)
Colorado (USA)
Arizona (USA)

Field-hunting tip

Look in sandstone hosted uranium-vanadium deposits country, the host setting where rauvite typically forms. If you start seeing corvusite, hewettite, vanoxite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal, crusts, earthy coatings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify rauvite?+

It typically shows a adamantine to waxy luster. The streak is yellowish brown to olive. Common colors include purplish black, bluish black, brownish red, brownish yellow-orange.

Where is rauvite found?+

Notable localities include Utah (USA); Colorado (USA); Arizona (USA).

Is rauvite safe to handle?+

This mineral is radioactive. It contains toxic constituents. This mineral contains both uranium and vanadium. It is radioactive and potentially toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust; handle with gloves and store in a sealed lead-lined container. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like rauvite?+

Rauvite is most often confused with Carnotite, Tyuyamunite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with rauvite?+

Rauvite commonly co-occurs with Corvusite, Hewettite, Vanoxite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does rauvite form in?+

Rauvite typically forms in sandstone hosted uranium-vanadium deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is rauvite used for?+

Rauvite is used in collector.

Find rauvite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.