Beryllite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Beryllite
Formula:
Be3(SiO4)(OH)2 · H2O
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Silky
Hardness:
1
Specific Gravity:
2.196
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
For the chemical composition.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
643
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:643:5
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Beryllite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
First published:
1954
Type description reference:
Classification of Beryllite
9.AE.05
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
E : Nesosilicates with additional anions (O,OH,F,H2O); cations in tetrahedral [4] coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
E : Nesosilicates with additional anions (O,OH,F,H2O); cations in tetrahedral [4] coordination
52.1.1.1
52 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and O,OH,F,H2O
1 : Insular SiO4 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [4] coordination
52 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups and O,OH,F,H2O
1 : Insular SiO4 Groups and O, OH, F, and H2O with cations in [4] coordination
14.3.3
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
3 : Silicates of Be
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
3 : Silicates of Be
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Byt | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Beryllite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Beryllite
Optical Data of Beryllite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.541 nβ = 1.553 nγ = 1.56
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.019
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v strong
Chemistry of Beryllite
Mindat Formula:
Be3(SiO4)(OH)2 · H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ti,Al,Fe,Mg,Ca,Na
Crystallography of Beryllite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Comment:
Orthorhombic or monoclinic, space group unknown.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.01 Å | (100) |
| 2.34 Å | (100) |
| 3.64 Å | (90) |
| 1.351 Å | (80) |
| 3.39 Å | (70) |
| 3.19 Å | (70) |
| 2.90 Å | (70) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Geological Setting:
analcime-rich veins (Ilimaussaq intrusion)
Type Occurrence of Beryllite
General Appearance of Type Material:
fine spherulites (to 3 mm); drusy segregations; fibrous crusts; powdery masses and coatings
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia (catalogue no. 57361)
Geological Setting of Type Material:
zoned pegmatite cutting arfvedsonite-bearing nepheline syenite
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Beryllite
Varieties of Beryllite
| Metaberyllite | Formerly considered a lower hydrate of Beryllite. Originally described from Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia. |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 9 photos of Beryllite associated with Epididymite | Na2Be2Si6O15 · H2O |
| 8 photos of Beryllite associated with Ussingite | Na2AlSi3O8OH |
| 8 photos of Beryllite associated with Hackmanite | Na8Al6Si6O24Cl2 |
| 6 photos of Beryllite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 5 photos of Beryllite associated with Tugtupite | (BeAlSi)Na4(SiO4)3Cl |
| 4 photos of Beryllite associated with Sodalite | Na4(Si3Al3)O12Cl |
| 4 photos of Beryllite associated with Cryptomelane | K(Mn4+7Mn3+)O16 |
| 4 photos of Beryllite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
| 4 photos of Beryllite associated with Chkalovite | Na2BeSi2O6 |
| 3 photos of Beryllite associated with Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AE.10 | Euclase | BeAl(SiO4)(OH) |
| 9.AE.15 | Sverigeite | NaMnMgSnBe2(SiO4)3(OH) |
| 9.AE.20 | Hodgkinsonite | Mn2+Zn2(SiO4)(OH)2 |
| 9.AE.25 | Gerstmannite | MnMgZn(SiO4)(OH)2 |
| 9.AE.30 | Clinohedrite | CaZn(SiO4) · H2O |
| 9.AE.35 | Stringhamite | CaCu(SiO4) · H2O |
| 9.AE.40 | Katoptrite | (Mn2+,Mg)13(Al,Fe3+)4Sb5+2(SiO4)2O20 |
| 9.AE.45 | Yeatmanite | Zn6Mn2+9Sb5+2(SiO4)4O12 |
| 9.AE.50 | Sphaerobertrandite | Be3(SiO4)(OH)2 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Beryllite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-643.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
References for Beryllite
Localities for Beryllite
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Greenland | |
| Petersen (2001) |
| Semenov et al. (1965) +1 other reference | |
| Daniel Hummer Collection |
| Petersen et al. (2002) | |
| ... | |
Russia | |
| ... |
| abstr. Zap. 102 +1 other reference | |
| Yakovenchuk et al. (2010) |
| Arzamastsev et al. (2008) | |
| Kuzmenko (1954) +3 other references |
Kuannersuit Plateau, Ilímaussaq complex, Kujalleq, Greenland