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Sphaerobertrandite

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Big Photo

Sengischorr Mt, Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia
© Thomas Witzke

Show Sphaerobertrandite Photos (5)



Formula:
Be
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
System:MonoclinicColour:Colourless, white, ...
Hardness:5
Name:After typical spherulitic morphology and chemical similarity to Bertrandite.
This page provides mineralogical data about Sphaerobertrandite.

Classification of Sphaerobertrandite

IMA status:Approved 2003
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.AE.50

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
E : Nesosilicates with additional anions (O,OH,F,H2O); cations in tetrahedral [4] coordination
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Type Occurrence of Sphaerobertrandite

Type Locality:Sengischorr Mt, Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia
Year of Discovery:1957

Occurrences of Sphaerobertrandite

Geological Setting:Alkaline pegmatites

Physical Properties of Sphaerobertrandite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Translucent
Colour:Colourless, white, yellow, brownish, greyish, beige.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):5
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
(001)
Density (measured):2.46 - 2.54 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.52 g/cm3

Crystallography of Sphaerobertrandite

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:P21/b {P1 1 21/b} {P21/c} {P1 21/c 1} {P21/a}
Cell Parameters:a = 5.081Å, b = 4.639Å, c = 17.664Å
β = 106.09°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1.095 : 1 : 3.808
Unit Cell Volume:V 400 ų
Morphology:Main crystal form is {001}, small faces {012}, {102} and {10-2} are present.
Twinning:Invariably twinned by pseudo-merohedry probably due to strongly pseudo-orthorhombic cell.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
4.885(90)
4.236(62)
3.161(100)
11_3)(
2.836(70)
2.538(55)
2.318(90)
2.174(55)

Optical Data of Sphaerobertrandite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.597 nβ = 1.607 nγ = 1.616
2V:Measured: 50° to 90°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.019

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate

Chemical Properties of Sphaerobertrandite

Formula:
Be
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
Essential elements:Be, H, O, Si
All elements listed in formula:Be, H, O, Si
Analytical Data:From Sengischorr Mt.
BeO (45.88)
SiO2(38.46)
H2O (12.54)

Total: 96.88 wt. %
Empirical Formula:
Be
 
2.97
Si
 
1.03
O
 
4.06
(OH)
 
1.94
 · 0.155H
 
2
O ·

Relationship of Sphaerobertrandite to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.AE.05Beryllite
Be
 
3
(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
9.AE.10Euclase
BeAl(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
9.AE.15Sverigeite
NaMnMgSnBe
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
3
(OH)
9.AE.20Hodgkinsonite
Mn
2+
 
Zn
 
2
(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
9.AE.25Gerstmannite
MnMgZn(SiO
 
4
)(OH)
 
2
9.AE.30Clinohedrite
CaZn(SiO
 
4
) · H
 
2
O
9.AE.35Stringhamite
CaCu(SiO
 
4
) · H
 
2
O
9.AE.40Katoptrite
(Mn
2+
 
,Mg)
 
13
(Al,Fe
3+
 
)
 
4
Sb
5+
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
2
O
 
20
9.AE.45Yeatmanite
Zn
 
6
Mn
2+
9
Sb
5+
2
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
O
 
12

Other Names for Sphaerobertrandite

Other Languages:
German:Sphaerobertrandit
Russian:Сферобертрандит
Spanish:Sphaerobertrandita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Sphaerobertrandite

Reference List:

- +
European Journal of Mineralogy (2003): 15: 157-166.

Internet Links for Sphaerobertrandite

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    • Localities for Sphaerobertrandite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    China
     
    • Hunan Province
      • Chenzhou Prefecture
        • Linwu Co.
          • Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field
    		Huang et al. (1988): Hsianghualing rocks, mineral deposits and minerals. Beijing Sci. Techn. Publ. Bur. (Beijing), 255 pp.
    Norway
     
    • Telemark
      • Porsgrunn
        • Mørje
    		Larsen, A. O. (ed.) (2010): The Langesundsfjord. History, geology, pegmatites, minerals. Bode Verlag Gmbh, Salzhemmendorf, Germany, 240 pp
    • Vestfold
      • Larvik
        • Tvedalen
          • Tuften (Tuften 1 Quarry; Tuften 2 Quarry)
    		Eur. J, Mineral. 15,157-166 (2003); Larsen, A. O. (ed.) (2010): The Langesundsfjord. History, geology, pegmatites, minerals. Bode Verlag Gmbh, Salzhemmendorf, Germany, 240 pp
    Russia
     
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
          • Lovozero Massif
    		Eur. J. Mineral 15,157-166 (2003)
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