# Autunite

Autunite is a bright green mineral that glows under UV light. It is found near uranium deposits and is known for its unique color and fluorescence.

- **Category:** [Mineral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mineral)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate

![Autunite](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Autunite_carri%C3%A8re_Les_Oudots.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Autunite_carri%C3%A8re_Les_Oudots.jpg)

## Appearance

The Autunite is known for its vivid fluorescent green or bright lemon-yellow color. It often forms thin, square-shaped crystals that look like tiny, translucent plates. This brilliant hue makes it stand out from most other minerals.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Autunite crystals often grow as thin, flat squares, like tiny pages from a book!
- Autunite is an important source for the element uranium, which has many uses!
- Early scientists used Autunite in experiments to understand the mysterious power of radioactivity!
- Your Geiger counter would go wild near Autunite because it's naturally radioactive!

## Special abilities

- **Glow Power:** Autunite has a special atomic structure that makes it glow bright green or yellow under ultraviolet light!
- **Energy Emitter:** Autunite contains uranium atoms that are constantly breaking down, releasing tiny particles of energy!
- **Shape Changer:** Autunite can transform into a new mineral called meta-autunite by losing water, changing its internal structure!

## Measurements & details

- **Color Range:** yellowish-green, apple-green, lemon-yellow
- **Hardness:** 2.25
- **Luster:** vitreous to pearly
- **Specific Gravity:** 3.15
- **Crystal System:** tetragonal

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Fluorescent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fluorescent): Fluorescent minerals emit visible light when exposed to ultraviolet light or other non-visible radiation, a phenomenon called fluorescence.
- [Gemstone](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/gemstone): A gemstone is a piece of mineral crystal which, when cut and polished, is used to make jewelry or other adornments.
- [Crystalline](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crystalline): Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.
- [Glowing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/glowing): Pertaining to organisms that emit light through bioluminescence or fluorescence.

## Collections

- [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals)

## Safety

**Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate

Do not touch autunite without adult supervision due to its radioactivity. Keep it away from your mouth and wash your hands after handling.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Autunite?

Compare crystal habit, luster, transparency, cleavage and surface texture. Minerals with different compositions can share almost the same color. Mineral Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What colors can Autunite be?

yellowish-green, apple-green, lemon-yellow

### How hard is Autunite?

2.25

### What kind of luster does Autunite have?

vitreous to pearly

### What is Autunite's specific gravity?

3.15

### What crystal system does Autunite belong to?

tetragonal

## More Mineral

- [Quartz Crystal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quartz-crystal)
- [Amethyst](https://www.snappit.app/explore/amethyst)
- [Rose Quartz](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-quartz)
- [Citrine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citrine)

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Source: [Autunite: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/autunite)