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Beyerite

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Schneeberg District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany
© Thomas Witzke

Show Beyerite Photos (20)
Formula:
(Ca,Pb)(BiO)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
System:OrthorhombicColour:White to bright yellow, ...
Lustre:AdamantineHardness:2 - 3
Name:Named after Adolph Beyer (1743-1805), mining engineer of Schneeberg, Saxony, who recognized the occurrence of a bismuth carbonate, bismutite, in nature.


An uncommon secondary Ca-Bi carbonate visually indistinguishable from Bismutite and Kettnerite.

Classification of Beyerite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/0.0-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.BE.35

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
E : With Pb, Bi
Dana 8th edition ID:16a.2.3.1

16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)3(XO3)2Zq
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.10.2

11 : Carbonates
10 : Carbonates of Bi
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Type Occurrence of Beyerite

Type Locality:Schneeberg District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany
Year of Discovery:1943
Associated Minerals at type locality:
ChalcedonyBismutite

Physical Properties of Beyerite

Lustre:Adamantine
Colour:White to bright yellow, or greyish-green, grey; light yellow to colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:white
Hardness (Mohs):2 - 3
Fracture:Conchoidal
Density (measured):6.56 g/cm3
Density (calculated):6.47 g/cm3

Crystallography of Beyerite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:Immm (I2/m 2/m 2/m)
Cell Parameters:a = 3.7725Å, b = 3.7742Å, c = 21.726Å
α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 90°
Ratio:a:b:c = 1 : 1 : 5.756
Unit Cell Volume:V 309.4 ų
Z:2
Morphology:Rectangular plates flattened {001} forming spherical and radial-fibrous structures. Compact earthy masses.

Optical Data of Beyerite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 2.130 nε = 1.970
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.160

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Very High
Pleochroism:Non-pleochroic
Comments:Anomalous biaxial character exhibited in some crystals with a very small 2V.

Chemical Properties of Beyerite

Formula:
(Ca,Pb)(BiO)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
Essential elements:Bi, C, Ca, O
All elements listed in formula:Bi, C, Ca, O, Pb

Relationship of Beyerite to other Species

Common Associates:
Bismutite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
5.BE.05Shannonite
Pb
 
2
[O|CO
 
3
]
5.BE.10Hydrocerussite
Pb
 
3
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
5.BE.15Plumbonacrite
Pb
 
5
O(OH)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
5.BE.20Phosgenite
Pb
 
2
[Cl
 
2
|CO
 
3
]
5.BE.25Bismutite
(BiO)
 
2
CO
 
3
5.BE.30Kettnerite
(BiO)Ca[F|CO
 
3
]
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
11.10.1Bismutite
(BiO)
 
2
CO
 
3

Other Names for Beyerite

German names:
Beyerit
Russian names:
Бейерит
Spanish names:
Beyerita

Other Information

Other Information:Readily soluble in acids with effervescence.
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 Beyerite

Reference List:Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 49 (on Bismutosphaerite believed to be beyerite).

Frondel, C. (1943): Mineralogy of the oxides and carbonates of bismuth. American Mineralogist 28, 521-535.

Heinrich (1947) American Mineralogist: 32: 660.

Lagercrantz and Sillén (1948) Arkiv för Kemi, Mineralogi och Geologi, Stockholm: 25: 1.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 281-282.

Arkiv för Kemi, Mineralogi och Geologi: 25A: 1-21.

Grice (2002): A solution to the crystal structures of bismutite and beyerite. Can. Mineral. 40, 693-698.

Internet Links for Beyerite

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    Localities for Beyerite

    Hide Locality List
    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.
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    (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.
    Australia
     
    • Queensland
      • Malbon
    		Neil A. Richards 2005.
    • South Australia
      • Eyre peninsula
        • Middleback Range
          • Iron Knob
    		Australian Jour.Min. v.6, no. 1
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Friesach - Hüttenberg area
        • Hüttenberg
    		G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
    • Salzburg
      • Hohe Tauern Mts
        • Gastein valley
          • Naßfeld valley
            • Kreuzkogel massif
    		Niedermayr et al. (2006): Neue Mineralfunde aus Österreich LV. – Carinthia II, 196./116.: 121-157.
        • Habach valley
          • Nasenkopf Mt.
            • Leckbachgraben (Leckbachrinne)
    		Bayerl, R. (2004): Krupkait, ein Erstfund aus dem Habachtal. Lapis 29 (7-8), 54-56. (in German)
    Lapis 25(12):42 (2000)
    Canada
     
    • Québec
      • Papineau Co.
        • Portland Township
          • St-Pierre-de-Wakefield
    		Mineralogical Record: 29: 164.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Bohemia (Böhmen; Boehmen)
      • Hradec Králové Region
        • Náchod (Nachod)
    		Černý, P., Doubek, Z., Veselovský, F.: Nerosty z Bělovsi u Náchoda – Jiráskova lomu. Minerál, roč. 11, č. 6, s. 406-418.
      • Karlovy Vary Region
        • Krušné Hory Mts (Erzgebirge)
          • Ostrov
            • Jáchymov (St Joachimsthal)
    		[MinRecord 29:164]
    Lapis 2002(7/8), 46
    France
     
    • Lorraine
      • Vosges
        • Val-d'Ajol
    		Favreau G., Iltis A. (2000), Données complémentaires sur les minéraux du Val d'Ajol (Vosges), Le Cahier des Micromonteurs, n°1, pp: 39-54
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Baden-Baden
          • Kälbelberg
    		No reference listed
        • Baiersbronn
          • Schönegründ
    		No reference listed
        • Calw
        • Freudenstadt
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
        • Gengenbach
          • Haigerach valley
    		Wittern,A. (1995) Mineralien finden im Schwarzwald
        • Hausach
    		Lapis 23(4), 13-17 (1998)
        • Hornberg
    		Gröbner, J. & Schrenk, D. (2005): Die Mineralien des Tunnels bei Hornberg. Der Erzgräber 19, 17-25. (in German)
        • Schapbach
    		Markl, G. (1996): Wildschapbach: Mineralogie und Lagerstättenkunde des klassischen Schwarzwälder Bergbaureviers. Lapis 21 (11), 13-28. (in German)
    J. Gröbner: Neufunde von der Grube Katharina im Wildschapbach, Der Erzgräber 18 (2/2004), 34-37.
        • Schenkenzell
          • Wittichen
    		K. Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
        • Wolfach
          • Oberwolfach
            • Rankach valley
    		KOLITSCH, U., GRÖBNER, J. & BAYERL, R. (1995): Die Mineralien der Silber-Antimon-Vererzungen der Grube Clara im Zeitraum 1993 bis 1995. - Erzgräber 9 (2), 61-77.
    • Bavaria
      • Franconia
        • Spessart Mts
          • Waldaschaff
    		Lorenz, J., Schmitt, R., Hahn, W. (2007): Rhabdophan und Cuprobismutit von der Barytgrube "Pauline" in Waldaschaff im Spessart, Der Aufschluss, Vol. 58, 41-54
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
        • Johanngeorgenstadt
    		Gröbner, J., Grimm, O. & Zienau, H. (2005): Neufunde interessanter Wismut- und Uranmineralien am Schaarschacht, Johanngeorgenstadt, Sachsen. Lapis 30 (6), 44-51; 62.
          • Steinbach
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    C. Frondel (1943): Mineralogy of the oxides and carbonates of bismuth.- American Mineralogist 28, 521-535; Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 281.
          • Neustädtel
    collection Leon Hupperichs, from the Staatliche Mineralien Niederlage Freiberg
    Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005)
          • Wolfgang Maaßen Mine field
    		Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005)
        • Schwarzenberg District
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    • Thuringia
      • Vogtland
        • Hirschberg
          • Ullersreuth
    		T. Witzke et al.: Lapis 2001(12), 13-27
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
        • Lavrion District Mines
          • Agios Konstantinos [St Constantine] (Kamareza; Kamariza)
            • Kamareza Mines
    		No reference listed
    India
     
    • Rajasthan (Rajputana)
      • Ajmer Division
        • Bhilwara District
    		No reference listed
    Italy
     
    • Piedmont
      • Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province
        • Ossola Valley
          • Vigezzo Valley
            • Craveggia
    		Piccoli, G.C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., Lombardo, B. (2007): Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo "F. Eusebio" Alba, Ed., Alba (Cuneo) 607 pp.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Tohoku Region
        • Fukushima Prefecture
    		The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) Matsubara
    • Kyushu Island
      • Oita prefecture
    		The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) Matsubara
    Namibia
     
    • Erongo Region
      • Karibib District
        • Okatjimukuju farm (Friedrichsfelde farm)
    		P. Keller and O. von Knorring, Eur. J. Mineral. , 1989, 1, pp. 567-593.
    • Kunene Region
      • Damaraland District
    		[MinRecord 29:164]
          • Copper Valley
    		Gerhard Niedermayr: Mesopotamia 504 - die Typlokalität des Namibit
    Norway
     
    • Telemark
      • Fyresdal
        • Moisesberg mines
    		Nordrum, F.S. & Larsen, A.O. (1995): Erts- og sekundærmineraler fra De Lampertiske Duers gruve, Moiseberg kobberverk i Fyresdal. Bergverksmuseet Skrift 9,38-41
    Russia
     
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • North Karelia
    		[World of Stones 95:5-6, p64]
    Spain
     
    • Andalusia
      • Córdoba
        • Villanueva de Córdoba
    		Schnorrer, G. (2000): Die Minerale der ehemaligen Grube Espuela de San Miguel bei Villanueva de Cordoba, Prov. Cordoba in Spanien. Der Aufschluss, 51, 211-222. (in German)
    Switzerland
     
    • Grischun (Grisons; Graubünden)
      • Bregaglia Valley (Bergell)
        • Albigna Valley
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Verlag Wepf & Co. (Basel), p. 77
    • Ticino (Tessin)
      • Riviera
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Verlag Wepf & Co. (Basel), p. 77
    • Wallis (Valais)
      • Martigny
        • Mont Chemin
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cumbria
        • South Eastern Region (Westmorland)
          • Eastern Fells
            • Shap
    		M.Wirth and D.Green,UK J.Mines & Minerals,2002,N0.22,pp.43-52
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Maricopa Co.
        • Wickenburg
    		No reference listed
      • Yavapai Co.
        • Bradshaw Mts (Bradshaw Range)
          • Castle Creek District
    		Joe Ruiz, Mammoth, AZ, USA
    Grant, Raymond W., Bideaux, R.A., and Williams, S.A. (2006) Minerals Added to the Arizona List 1995-2005: 6. Mr. Joe Ruiz, Mammoth, AZ, personal communication to John Ebner, Ronald Deblois, Eckhard Stuart and C. Lemanski, Jr. (2008).
        • White Picacho District
          • San Domingo Wash
    		Jahns, R.H. (1952), Pegmatite Deposits of the White Picacho District, Maricopa and Yavapai Cos., AZ, AZ Bur. Mines Bull. 162: 93-96.
    • California
      • Riverside Co.
        • Fontana
    		MinRec 15:273-290
      • San Diego Co.
        • Pala District
          • Chief Mountain
    		Mineralogical Record (2002): 33(5): 388.
          • Hiriart Mountain (Heriart; Heriot; Hiriat Hill)
    		[MinRecord 29:164]
          • Tourmaline Queen Mountain (Pala; Queen)
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 282.
    • Colorado
      • Fremont Co.
        • Eight Mile Park pegmatite District
    		"Minerals of Colorado, updated & revised", p. 15, by Eckel, Edwin B., 1997
    [MinRec 29:165]
    Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 282; Pearl, 1958. Colorado Gem Trails & Mineral Guide
    Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 282; Pearl, 1958. Colorado Gem Trails & Mineral Guide
      • Park Co.
        • Guffey District
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 282; Eckel, E. B. (1997) Minerals of Colorado.
    • Connecticut
      • Middlesex Co.
    		Januzzi, 1976. Mineral Localities of CT & SE NY State
    • Nevada
      • Clark Co.
        • Goodsprings District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Esmeralda Co.
        • Tule Canyon District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Mexico
      • Luna Co.
    		Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd rev. ed., 1996
    Min Rec 20:1 p57
      • Taos Co.
        • Picuris District
    		The Harding Mine Taos County New Mexico. Mineralogical Record: 8(2): 115-126.
    • Utah
      • Utah Co.
        • Tintic District
          • Eureka
    		Antonio Borrelli collection
    • Wisconsin
      • Jefferson Co.
        • Waterloo
    		Buchholz, T.W., Falster, A.U., and Simmons, WmB. (2007) 34th Rochester Mineralogical Symposium, Contributed Papers.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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