Berborite
| Berborite | |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Category | Borate minerals |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Be2(BO3)(OH,F)•H2O |
| Strunz classification | 06.AB.10 |
| Dana classification | 26.1.1.1 |
| Crystal symmetry | Hexagonal point group: 3, 3m, or 6 |
| Unit cell | a = 4.43 Å, c = 5.34 Å; V 90.76 ų; Z = 2 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Colorless |
| Crystal system | Hexagonal |
| Twinning | Complex |
| Cleavage | {0001} Perfect |
| Fracture | Uneven - Flat surfaces (not cleavage) fractured in an uneven pattern. |
| Mohs scale hardness | 3 |
| Luster | Vitreous (Glassy) |
| Streak | white |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent |
| Density | 2.2 |
| Optical properties | Uniaxial (-) |
| Refractive index | nω = 1.580 nε = 1.485 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.095 |
| Ultraviolet fluorescence | none |
| References | [1][2][3] |
Berborite is a beryllium borate mineral with the chemical formula Be2(BO3)(OH,F)·(H2O). It is colorless and leaves a white streak. Its crystals are hexagonal to pyramidal. It is transparent and has vitreous luster. It is not radioactive. Berborite is rated 3 on the Mohs Scale.[2]
Berborite occurs in 1T, 2T, 2H polytypes.[3]
It was first described in 1967 for an occurrence in the Lupikko Mine, Ladoga Region Karelia Republic, Russia. It has also been reported from Tvedalen, Larvik, Vestfold, and Siktesøya Island, Langesundsfjord, Porsgrunn, Telemark, Norway.[1][3] It occurs in serpentine altered dolostone in association with skarn enriched in tungsten, strontium, beryllium and boron in the Keralia occurrence and in vugs with natrolite and thomsonite in Norway.[2][3]
References
- 1 2 Mindat.org http://www.mindat.org/min-629.html
- 1 2 3 Webmineral.com http://www.webmineral.com/data/Berborite.shtml
- 1 2 3 4 Handbook of Mineralogy