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Beryllite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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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
| Baralite | A synonym of 'Bavalite' | |
| Barolite (of Kirwan) | A synonym of Witherite | |
| Barylite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Be2Ba(Si2O7) |
| Berylite | A synonym of Beryl |
IMA Classification of Beryllite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Be3SiO4(OH)2·H2O
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
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. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Low (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (74°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
No measured or calculated 2V is on file for this mineral, so the value used here (74°) is estimated from its recorded refractive indices and optic sign, not from a direct 2V measurement.
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
Associations 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 Chkalovite | Na2BeSi2O6 |
| 4 photos of Beryllite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
| 4 photos of Beryllite associated with Cryptomelane | K(Mn4+7Mn3+)O16 |
| 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.
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External Links:
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References for Beryllite
Localities for Beryllite
Showing 11 localities.
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 | |
| ... |
| [var: Metaberyllite] abstr. Zap. 102 +1 other reference | |
| Yakovenchuk et al. (2010) |
| Arzamastsev et al. (2008) | |
| Kuzmenko (1954) +3 other references |
Quick NavTopAbout BerylliteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesVarietiesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Kuannersuit Plateau, Ilímaussaq complex, Kujalleq, Greenland