Beryllonite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Beryllonite
Formula:
NaBePO4
Colour:
Colourless, white, rarely pale light yellow; colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Greasy
Hardness:
5½ - 6
Specific Gravity:
2.77 - 2.85
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named by Edward S. Dana in 1888 in allusion to its composition, containing beryllium.
Structurally closely related to trimerite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Beryllonite.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Beryllonite.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
644
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:644:4
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
5cc231e2-86d6-4afe-b640-ff91ca4085f8
IMA Classification of Beryllonite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
NaBe(PO4)
First published:
1888
Classification of Beryllonite
8.AA.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
A : With small cations (some also with larger ones)
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
A : Phosphates, etc. without additional anions, without H2O
A : With small cations (some also with larger ones)
Dana 7th ed.:
38.1.5.1
38.1.5.1
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO4
38 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, AND VANADATES
1 : ABXO4
19.3.2
19 : Phosphates
3 : Phosphates of Be and Mg
19 : Phosphates
3 : Phosphates of Be and Mg
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Bel | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Bll | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Pronunciation of Beryllonite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Beryllonite
Sub-Vitreous, Resinous, Waxy, Greasy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Comment:
Pearly at times on {010}.
Colour:
Colourless, white, rarely pale light yellow; colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5½ - 6 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {010} perfect; on {100} good but interrupted; on {101} poor; on {001}, in traces.
On {010} perfect; on {100} good but interrupted; on {101} poor; on {001}, in traces.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.77 - 2.85 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.805 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Beryllonite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.552 nβ = 1.558 nγ = 1.561
2V:
Measured: 68°
Birefringence:
0.009
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.009
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Low
Dispersion:
weak to distinct r < v
Optical Extinction:
XYZ = bac
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
Fluid inclusions common.
Chemistry of Beryllonite
Mindat Formula:
NaBePO4
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Beryllonite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.178(3) Å, b = 7.818(3) Å, c = 14.114(6) Å
β = 90°
β = 90°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.046 : 1 : 1.805
Unit Cell V:
902.39 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
12
Morphology:
Crystals tabular {010} to short prismatic [010]. Crystals are frequently very complex, especially in the zones [100] and [010]. Faces in the zone [010] near {100} may be united in oscillatory combination. Crystal faces often dull or roughened, or, in some cases, delicately etched. Crystals frequently exhibit a columnar structure due to the presence of hollow canals and fluid cavities arranged parallel to [010].
Twinning:
On plane {101}, as both contact and penetration twins; repeated at times, or in pseudo-hexagonal stellate forms; also polysynthetic {110} and {100}.
Comment:
Marked orthorhombic pseudo-symmetry.
Crystallographic forms of Beryllonite
Crystal Atlas:
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Beryllonite no.2 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
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Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0015544 | Beryllonite | Golovastikov N I (1962) The crystal structure of beryllonite (NaBePO4) Soviet Physics Crystallography 6 733-739 | 1962 | Stoneham, Maine, USA | 0 | 293 | |
| 0015643 | Beryllonite | Giuseppetti G, Tadini C (1973) Refinement of the crystal structure of beryllonite Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen 20 1-12 | 1973 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.61 Å | (3) |
| 4.409 Å | (15) |
| 4.085 Å | (20) |
| 3.900 Å | (100) |
| 3.620 Å | (35) |
| 3.6104 Å | (30) |
| 3.493 Å | (12) |
| 3.214 Å | (5) |
| 3.003 Å | (7) |
| 2.867 Å | (5) |
| 2.816 Å | (55) |
| 2.681 Å | (6) |
| 2.673 Å | (7) |
| 2.664 Å | (7) |
| 2.558 Å | (2) |
| 2.528 Å | (1) |
| 2.475 Å | (3) |
| 2.367 Å | (15) |
| 2.350 Å | (5) |
| 2.337 Å | (12) |
| 2.278 Å | (4) |
| 2.264 Å | (5) |
| 2.251 Å | (35) |
| 2.205 Å | (3) |
| 2.199 Å | (3) |
| 2.192 Å | (5) |
| 2.164 Å | (5) |
| 2.097 Å | (2) |
| 2.093 Å | (3) |
| 2.031 Å | (2) |
| 2.013 Å | (6) |
| 1.9878 Å | (2) |
| 1.9770 Å | (11) |
| 1.9670 Å | (3) |
| 1.9618 Å | (3) |
| 1.9536 Å | (20) |
| 1.9484 Å | (35) |
| 1.8634 Å | (2) |
| 1.8598 Å | (2) |
| 1.8167 Å | (3) |
| 1.8105 Å | (3) |
| 1.7998 Å | (2) |
| 1.7881 Å | (1) |
| 1.7670 Å | (1) |
| 1.7494 Å | (2) |
| 1.7440 Å | (2) |
| 1.7357 Å | (2) |
| 1.7081 Å | (1) |
| 1.6227 Å | (4) |
| 1.6159 Å | (2) |
| 1.6070 Å | (1) |
| 1.5230 Å | (3) |
| 1.5186 Å | (11) |
| 1.5005 Å | (2) |
| 1.4969 Å | (2) |
| 1.4570 Å | (11) |
| 1.4486 Å | (3) |
| 1.4453 Å | (4) |
| 1.4420 Å | (3) |
| 1.4390 Å | (10) |
| 1.4063 Å | (3) |
Comments:
ICDD 33-1213 (synthetic), Powder Diffraction (1993) 8:47, also ICDD 6-443.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Geological Setting:
Granitic and alkali pegmatites.
Type Occurrence of Beryllonite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Isolated crystals from about 0.5-2.5 cm in size, short prismatic or tabular showing many faces.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, number 3.1946 (type).
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Granite pegmatite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Beryllonite
German:Beryllonit
Russian:Бериллонит
Simplified Chinese:磷钠铍石
Spanish:Beryllonita
Traditional Chinese:磷钠鈹石
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 34 photos of Beryllonite associated with Elbaite | Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
| 18 photos of Beryllonite associated with Fluorapatite | Ca5(PO4)3F |
| 17 photos of Beryllonite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 15 photos of Beryllonite associated with Hydroxylherderite | CaBe(PO4)(OH) |
| 12 photos of Beryllonite associated with Moraesite | Be2(PO4)(OH) · 4H2O |
| 11 photos of Beryllonite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 9 photos of Beryllonite associated with Lepidolite | |
| 8 photos of Beryllonite associated with Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| 8 photos of Beryllonite associated with Brazilianite | NaAl3(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8 photos of Beryllonite associated with Cleavelandite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.AA.05 | Alarsite | AlAsO4 |
| 8.AA.05 | Berlinite | AlPO4 |
| 8.AA.15 | Hurlbutite | CaBe2(PO4)2 |
| 8.AA.20 | Lithiophosphate | Li3PO4 |
| 8.AA.25 | Nalipoite | NaLi2PO4 |
| 8.AA.30 | Olympite | Na5Li(PO4)2 |
Fluorescence of Beryllonite
Not fluorescent.
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Before the blowpipe it decrepitates and fuses at about 3 to a somewhat clouded glass, coloring the flame a deep yellow. A closed tube does not yield any water.
Notes:
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 Beryllonite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-644.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Beryllonite
Reference List:
Giuseppetti, G., Tadini, Carla (1973) Refinement of the crystal structure of beryllonite, NaBePO4. TMPM Tschermaks Mineralogische und Petrographische Mitteilungen, 20 (1). 1-12 doi:10.1007/bf01082098
Henderson, C. M. B., Taylor, D. (1984) Thermal expansion behaviour of beryllonite [Na(BePO4)] and trimerite [CaMn(BeSiO4)3]. Mineralogical Magazine, 48 (348) 431-436 doi:10.1180/minmag.1984.048.348.14
Černá, I., Černý, P., Selway, J. B., Chapman, R. (2002) Paragenesis and origin of secondary beryllophosphates: beryllonite and hydroxylherderite from the BEP granitic pegmatite, southeastern Manitoba, Canada. The Canadian Mineralogist, 40 (5) 1339-1345 doi:10.2113/gscanmin.40.5.1339
Shannon, Robert D., Shannon, Ruth C., Medenbach, Olaf, Fischer, Reinhard X. (2002) Refractive Index and Dispersion of Fluorides and Oxides. Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data, 31 (4) 931-970 doi:10.1063/1.1497384
Tait, K. T., Yang, H., Downs, R. T., Li, C., Pinch, W. W. (2010) The crystal structure of esperite, with a revised chemical formula, PbCa2(ZnSiO4)3, isostructural with beryllonite. American Mineralogist, 95 (5) 699-705 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3415
Frost, Ray L., Xi, Yunfei, Scholz, Ricardo, Belotti, Fernanda M., Alberto Dias Menezes Filho, Luiz (2012) Raman and infrared spectroscopic characterization of beryllonite, a sodium and beryllium phosphate mineral – implications for mineral collectors. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 97. 1058-1062 doi:10.1016/j.saa.2012.07.067
Localities for Beryllonite
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.
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Beryllonite Locality, Stoneham, Oxford County, Maine, USA