Sphaerobertrandite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Sphaerobertrandite
Formula:
Be3(SiO4)(OH)2
Colour:
Colourless, white, yellow, brownish, greyish, beige.
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
2.46 - 2.54
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
After typical spherulitic morphology and chemical similarity to Bertrandite. The mineral was first described by Semenov in 1957, but was not accepted as a valid species. The IMA finally approved the mineral in 2003.
This page provides mineralogical data about Sphaerobertrandite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
11337
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:11337:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
433af484-327a-4cfc-a828-97e593519e47
IMA Classification of Sphaerobertrandite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
First published:
1957
Approval history:
Redefined 2003 s.p.: Pekov et al. (2003).
Classification of Sphaerobertrandite
9.AE.50
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
E : Nesosilicates with additional anions (O,OH,F,H2O); cations in tetrahedral [4] coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
E : Nesosilicates with additional anions (O,OH,F,H2O); cations in tetrahedral [4] coordination
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Sbtd | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Sphaerobertrandite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless, white, yellow, brownish, greyish, beige.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
(001)
(001)
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.46 - 2.54 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.52 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Sphaerobertrandite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.597 nβ = 1.607 nγ = 1.616
2V:
Measured: 50° to 90°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.019
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:
Moderate
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
from yellowish (X) to colourless (Z),
usually nonpleochroic
usually nonpleochroic
Chemistry of Sphaerobertrandite
Mindat Formula:
Be3(SiO4)(OH)2
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Sphaerobertrandite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.081 Å, b = 4.639 Å, c = 17.664 Å
β = 106.09°
β = 106.09°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.095 : 1 : 3.808
Unit Cell V:
400 ų
Z:
4
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
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.885 Å | (90) |
| 4.236 Å | (62) |
| 3.161 Å | (100) |
| 2.836 Å | (70) |
| 2.538 Å | (55) |
| 2.318 Å | (90) |
| 2.174 Å | (55) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 35 : Ultra-alkali and agpaitic igneous rocks |
Geological Setting:
Alkaline pegmatites
Type Occurrence of Sphaerobertrandite
Co-Type Localities:
General Appearance of Type Material:
Compact spherulites and aggregates, finely crystalline crusts and spherulites.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Sengischorr Mountain, Lovozero, has been deposited at Fersman Mineralogical Museum of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow,
while neotype specimen from Tuften quarry, Tvedalen, has been deposited at Mineralogisk-Geologisk Museum, Oslo.
while neotype specimen from Tuften quarry, Tvedalen, has been deposited at Mineralogisk-Geologisk Museum, Oslo.
Other Language Names for Sphaerobertrandite
German:Sphaerobertrandit
Russian:Сферобертрандит
Simplified Chinese:球羟硅铍石
Spanish:Sphaerobertrandita
Traditional Chinese:球羥矽鈹石
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 19 photos of Sphaerobertrandite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
| 16 photos of Sphaerobertrandite associated with Hambergite | Be2(BO3)(OH) |
| 12 photos of Sphaerobertrandite associated with Chiavennite | CaMnBe2Si5O13(OH)2 · 2H2O |
| 7 photos of Sphaerobertrandite associated with Epididymite | Na2Be2Si6O15 · H2O |
| 5 photos of Sphaerobertrandite associated with Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
| 5 photos of Sphaerobertrandite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 5 photos of Sphaerobertrandite associated with Bertrandite | Be4(Si2O7)(OH)2 |
| 3 photos of Sphaerobertrandite associated with Chabazite-Na | (Na2,K2,Ca,Sr,Mg)2[Al2Si4O12]2 · 12H2O |
| 2 photos of Sphaerobertrandite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 2 photos of Sphaerobertrandite associated with Analcime | Na(AlSi2O6) · H2O |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AE.05 | Beryllite | Be3(SiO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| 9.AE.10 | Euclase | BeAl(SiO4)(OH) |
| 9.AE.15 | Sverigeite | NaMnMgSnBe2(SiO4)3(OH) |
| 9.AE.20 | Hodgkinsonite | Mn2+Zn2(SiO4)(OH)2 |
| 9.AE.25 | Gerstmannite | MnMgZn(SiO4)(OH)2 |
| 9.AE.30 | Clinohedrite | CaZn(SiO4) · H2O |
| 9.AE.35 | Stringhamite | CaCu(SiO4) · H2O |
| 9.AE.40 | Katoptrite | (Mn2+,Mg)13(Al,Fe3+)4Sb5+2(SiO4)2O20 |
| 9.AE.45 | Yeatmanite | Zn6Mn2+9Sb5+2(SiO4)4O12 |
Fluorescence of Sphaerobertrandite
none
Other Information
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 Sphaerobertrandite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-11337.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Sphaerobertrandite
Reference List:
Pekov, Igor V., Chukanov, Nikita V., Larsen, Alf Olav, Merlino, Stefano, Pasero, Marco, Pushcharovsky, Dmitriy Y.u., Ivaldi, Gabriella, Zadov, Alexander E., Grishin, Viktor G., Åsheim, Arne, Taftø, Johan, Chistyakova, Nina I. (2003) Sphaerobertrandite, Be3SiO4(OH)2: new data, crystal structure and genesis. European Journal of Mineralogy, 15 (1) 157-166 doi:10.1127/0935-1221/2003/0015-0157
Localities for Sphaerobertrandite
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.
China | |
| Xihuan Zhang and Yufeng Ren (2008) |
Greenland | |
| www.mineralogicalassociation.ca (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Семёнов (1969) |
Norway | |
| Larsen et al. (2015) |
| Jens Andreas Larsen find +1 other reference |
| Larsen et al. (2010) |
| Pekov et al. (2003) | |
| Eur. J. Mineral 15 (2003) +2 other references | |
Russia | |
| www.mineralogicalassociation.ca (n.d.) |
| www.mineralogicalassociation.ca (n.d.) |
| www.mineralogicalassociation.ca (n.d.) | |
| www.mineralogicalassociation.ca (n.d.) |
| Pekov et al. (2003) |
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Johs Nilsens Quarry, Tvedalen, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway