Beryllonite

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Beryllonite crystals - click for larger pic
Beryllonite crystal
Photo by Doug Merson
© Doug Merson

Beryllonite crystals - click for larger pic
Beryllonite crystals
Jason B. Smith photo
© Jason B. Smith

Beryllonite crystals - click for larger pic
Beryllonite crystals
Photo by Stephan Wolfsried
© Stephan Wolfsried

NaBePO

Beryllonite is moderately rare at Mont Saint-Hilaire.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually white.
Luster is vitreous.
Diaphaneity is transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is monoclinic;
Crystal Habits include dull spheres and thin tabular crystals.
Cleavage {010} is perfect, {100} is good and {101} is indistinct.
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 5.5 – 6.
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.8 g/cm
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals include analcime, calcite, dawsonite, dolomite,
quartz, rutile and siderite.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habits.
Origin: Named in 1888 to reflect its beryllium content.

CLASSIFICATION:

Dana System
# 38.1.5.1

Strunz Classification
# VII/A.1-40

REFERENCES:
Dana 8:703-704 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

MSH
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