Brannerite
1 in the gallery
Brannerite is a uranium titanate mineral that forms metallic-to-submetallic crystals with a brown to black color and a glassy to submetallic lustre. Crystals are typically elongated in prismatic habits, and while density is high, there are only a few well-formed specimens that show the mineral’s characteristic metallic sheen embedded in matrix rock. Luster and color can give the first clues to identification, but reliable confirmation relies on mineralogical analysis because the uranium content can influence coloration and opacity. It commonly occurs in granitoid and hydrothermal settings where uranium-bearing fluids interact with titanate-rich minerals, and it is often found in association with other uranium minerals.
- Formula
- UTi2O6
- Rarity
- Rare
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- High Interest
- Classification notes
- Oxide mineral; uranium titanate (UTi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>6</sub>)
Where Brannerite is found
Top localities
- Savoie1 specimen
About Brannerite
Notable specimens come from European localities such as Spain and France, where Brannerite has been recovered in veins and hydrothermal assemblages within granitic geologies. Collectors prize well-crystallized brannerite when it is accompanied by a contrasting matrix or generates a striking contrast with nearby minerals, highlighting its metallic brilliance. Although not as abundant as many common minerals, Brannerite’s rarity, its uranium-titanium chemistry, and its potential for solid, reflective crystals make it an appealing inclusion for cabinets focused on radioactive or mantle-derived assemblages. For display, a well-formed brannerite crystal on contrasting rock typically stands out for its mineralogical character and historical locality associations.