Beyerite
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Formula:
Ca(BiO)2(CO3)2
Colour:
White to bright yellow, or greyish-green, grey; light yellow to colourless in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
2 - 3
Specific Gravity:
6.56
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named after Adolph Beyer (1743-1805), mining engineer of Schneeberg, Saxony, who recognized the occurrence of a bismuth carbonate, bismutite, in nature.
Type Locality:
Classification of Beyerite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
5/0.0-40
5.BE.35
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
E : With Pb, Bi
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
E : With Pb, Bi
16a.2.3.1
16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)3(XO3)2Zq
16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)3(XO3)2Zq
11.10.2
11 : Carbonates
10 : Carbonates of Bi
11 : Carbonates
10 : Carbonates of Bi
Physical Properties of Beyerite
Adamantine
Colour:
White to bright yellow, or greyish-green, grey; light yellow to colourless in transmitted light.
Streak:
white
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
6.56 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.47 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Beyerite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 2.130 nε = 1.970
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.160

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:
Very High
Pleochroism:
Non-pleochroic
Comments:
Anomalous biaxial character exhibited in some crystals with a very small 2V.
Chemical Properties of Beyerite
Formula:
Ca(BiO)2(CO3)2
IMA Formula:
CaBi2O2(CO3)2
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Beyerite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Immm
Cell Parameters:
a = 3.7725 Å, b = 3.7742 Å, c = 21.726 Å
α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 90°
α = 90°, β = 90°, γ = 90°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1 : 1 : 5.756
Unit Cell V:
309.4 ų
Z:
2
Morphology:
Rectangular plates flattened {001} forming spherical and radial-fibrous structures. Compact earthy masses.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.632 | (6) |
3.354 | (6) |
2.851 | (10) |
2.721 | (9) |
1.755 | (8) |
1.688 | (7) |
1.530 | (8) |
Type Occurrence of Beyerite
Other Language Names for Beyerite
Common Associates
Bismutite | (BiO)2CO3 |
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Namibite | 8 photos of Beyerite associated with Namibite on mindat.org. |
Bismutite | 8 photos of Beyerite associated with Bismutite on mindat.org. |
Bismuth | 7 photos of Beyerite associated with Bismuth on mindat.org. |
Quartz | 6 photos of Beyerite associated with Quartz on mindat.org. |
Mixite | 5 photos of Beyerite associated with Mixite on mindat.org. |
Cuprian Adamite | 4 photos of Beyerite associated with Cuprian Adamite on mindat.org. |
Bismite | 3 photos of Beyerite associated with Bismite on mindat.org. |
Adamite | 2 photos of Beyerite associated with Adamite on mindat.org. |
Brochantite | 2 photos of Beyerite associated with Brochantite on mindat.org. |
Bismoclite | 2 photos of Beyerite associated with Bismoclite on mindat.org. |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
5.BE.X | Abellaite | NaPb2(CO3)2(OH) | Trig. 3m : P3 1c |
5.BE.05 | Shannonite | Pb2OCO3 | Orth. |
5.BE.10 | Hydrocerussite | Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2 | Trig. |
5.BE.15 | Plumbonacrite | Pb5O(OH)2(CO3)3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3c1 |
5.BE.20 | Phosgenite | Pb2CO3Cl2 | Tet. 4/mmm (4/m 2/m 2/m) : P4/mbm |
5.BE.25 | Bismutite | (BiO)2CO3 | Orth. mm2 : Imm2 |
5.BE.30 | Kettnerite | CaBiCO3OF | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
11.10.1 | Bismutite | (BiO)2CO3 | Orth. mm2 : Imm2 |
Other Information
Notes:
Readily soluble in acids with effervescence.
Health Risks:
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:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
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
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-654.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Localities for Beyerite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy |
Australia | |
| Neil A. Richards 2005. |
| Australian Jour.Min. v.6, no. 1 |
Austria | |
| Taucher, J. (1994): Beyerit vom Hüttenberger Erzberg, Kärnten. Matrixx - Mineralogische Nachrichten aus Österreich, Band 3, 17-18.; G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995 |
| Niedermayr et al. (2006): Neue Mineralfunde aus Österreich LV. – Carinthia II, 196./116.: 121-157. |
| Bayerl, R. (2004): Krupkait, ein Erstfund aus dem Habachtal. Lapis 29 (7-8), 54-56. (in German) |
Lapis 25(12):42 (2000) | |
| Kolitsch, U., Poeverlein, R. & Gröbner, J. (2009): 1584) Weitere Nachweise von Sekundärmineralien aus den alpinen Sulfidvererzungen von Bärenbad im Hollerbachtal: Beyerit, Ferrimolybdit und Skorodit; Salzburg. Pp. 206-207 in: Niedermayr, G. et al. (2009): Neue Mineralfunde aus Österreich LVIII. Carinthia II, 199/119, 189-236. |
Canada | |
| Miles, N. M., Hogarth, D.D. & Russell, D.S. (1971): Wakefieldite, yttrium vanadate, a new mineral from Quebec. American Mineralogist. 56, 395-410 |
Czech Republic | |
| Černý, P., Doubek, Z., Veselovský, F.: Nerosty z Bělovsi u Náchoda – Jiráskova lomu. Minerál, roč. 11, č. 6, s. 406-418. |
| [Mineralogical Record 29:164] |
Lapis 2002(7/8), 46 | |
France | |
| - ESCANDE, J.-C., JOHAN, Z., LOUGNON, J., PICOT, P. & PILLARD, F. (1973): Note sur la présence de minéraux de bismuth dans un filon de barytine et fluorine à Faymont, près Le Val-d'Ajol (Vosges). - Bull. Soc. fr. Minéral. Cristallogr. 96, 398-399. - ASSELBORN, E. (1982): Le filon des roches en Val d'Ajol. - Minéraux et Fossiles 88, 32-37. - FLUCK, P. & STEIN, S. (1992): Espèces minérales des principaux districts miniers du massif vosgien. - Pierres et Terre 35 (December 1992), 120 pp. - L'HEUR, C. & MOREAU, F. (1994): Les minéralisations du filon du Bas Hérival près du Val d`Ajol (Vosges). – Le Cahier des Micromonteurs, 2, 3-14. - HOHL, J. L. (1994): Minéraux et Mines du Massif Vosgien. - Ed. du Rhin, Mulhouse, Frankreich. - U. Kolitsch (1997): New mineral occurrences from some localities in the Vosges, France: Triembach, Bluttenberg and Val d'Ajol. Aufschluss 48 (2), 65-91. (in German) - Favreau, G. et Iltis, A. (2000): Données complémentaires sur les minéraux du Val d'Ajol (Vosges). Le Cahier des Micromonteurs, (1), 39-54. |
- ESCANDE, J.-C., JOHAN, Z., LOUGNON, J., PICOT, P. & PILLARD, F. (1973): Note sur la présence de minéraux de bismuth dans un filon de barytine et fluorine à Faymont, près Le Val-d'Ajol (Vosges). - Bull. Soc. fr. Minéral. Cristallogr. 96, 398-399. - ASSELBORN, E. (1982): Le filon des roches en Val d'Ajol. - Minéraux et Fossiles 88, 32-37. - FLUCK, P. & STEIN, S. (1992): Espèces minérales des principaux districts miniers du massif vosgien. - Pierres et Terre 35 (December 1992), 120 pp. - L'HEUR, C. & MOREAU, F. (1994): Les minéralisations du filon du Bas Hérival près du Val d`Ajol (Vosges). – Le Cahier des Micromonteurs, 2, 3-14. - HOHL, J. L. (1994): Minéraux et Mines du Massif Vosgien. - Ed. du Rhin, Mulhouse, Frankreich. - U. Kolitsch (1997): New mineral occurrences from some localities in the Vosges, France: Triembach, Bluttenberg and Val d'Ajol. Aufschluss 48 (2), 65-91. (in German) - Favreau, G. et Iltis, A. (2000): Données complémentaires sur les minéraux du Val d'Ajol (Vosges). Le Cahier des Micromonteurs, (1), 39-54. | |
| Analyse by MNHN of Luxembourg |
Germany | |
| No reference listed |
| No reference listed |
| Walenta, K. (1992): "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich).; American Mineralogist: 69: 1190 |
| Gröbner, J. (2003): Eine Wismutvererzung bei Würzbach im Nordschwarzwald. Der Erzgräber 17 (1), 28-32. |
| Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001 |
| Wittern,A. (1995) Mineralien finden im Schwarzwald |
| Wendel, W., Müller, M., and Janouch, U. (1998) Neufund seltener Wismut-Vanadate am Hechtsberg bei Hausach, Schwarzwald. Lapis: 23(4): 13-17.; Jambor, J.L. and Roberts, A.C. (1998) New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 83: 400-403. |
| Gröbner, J. & Schrenk, D. (2005): Die Mineralien des Tunnels bei Hornberg. Der Erzgräber 19, 17-25. (in German) |
| 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. | |
| K. Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992 |
| 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. |
| Lorenz, J., Schmitt, R., Hahn, W. (2007): Rhabdophan und Cuprobismutit von der Barytgrube "Pauline" in Waldaschaff im Spessart, Der Aufschluss, Vol. 58, 41-54 |
| Habel, M. (2009): Der Granodioritbruch der Fa. Josef Uhrmann OHG, Steinerleinbach bei Röhrnbach. Mineralien-Welt 20 (2), 66-86. |
| Gröbner, J. & Kloss, D. (2010): Neufunde von der Grube Wolkenhügel bei Bad Lauterberg im Harz. Lapis 35 (1), 39-41; 62. |
| Gröbner, J., Grimm, O. & Zienau, H. (2005): Neufunde interessanter Wismut- und Uranmineralien am Schaarschacht, Johanngeorgenstadt, Sachsen. Lapis 30 (6), 44-51; 62. |
| Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001 |
| Hajek, W. (2010): Kristallwelten Marienberg. Weise Verlag, München. |
| |
| Belendorff, K. (2009): Dreyerit und Rhabdophan-(Nd) aus Schneeberg, Erzgebirge. Mineralien-Welt 20 (3), 27-29 |
J. Hoppner Collection | |
collection Leon Hupperichs, from the Staatliche Mineralien Niederlage Freiberg | |
Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005) | |
Schlegel, L., Kleeberg, R. & Meisser, N. (1996): Lapis 21(9), 37-41. | |
| Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005) |
| http://www.dergraul.de |
Gunnar Färber | |
| T. Witzke et al.: Lapis 2001(12), 13-27 |
Greece | |
| Solomos, C., Voudouris, P. & Katerinopoulos, A. (2004): Mineralogical studies of bismuth-gold-antimony mineralization at the area of Kamariza, Lavrion. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Greece 34, Proceedings of the 10th International Congress, Thessaloniki, Greece, 387-396 (in Greek with English abstract). |
Fritz Schreiber specimen | |
India | |
| Amer Min (1969) 54:1710-1725 |
Italy | |
| Guastoni, A., Gentile, P. & Zorzi, F. (2015) Beyerite delle miniere di Brosso, Valchiusella, Torino. Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 39(1), 32-35. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Biagioni, C., Orlandi, P., & Bonini, M. (2008). Fornovolasco. Storia e minerali delle miniere di ferro presso Vergemoli (Alpi Apuane). Rivista Mineralogica Italiana, 4/2008, 230-252 |
Japan | |
| The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) Matsubara |
| Uehara, S. & Y. Shirose (2013), Namibite and hechtsbergite from the Nagatare mine, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences 108,105-110 |
| The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) Matsubara; Uehara, S., et al (2014) MInerals from Kyushu and Yamaguchi. (Fukuoka Mineral Club, 355 pages) |
Namibia | |
| P. Keller and O. von Knorring, Eur. J. Mineral. , 1989, 1, pp. 567-593. |
| Niedermayr, G., Schnaitmann, E. A., Brandstätter, F. (2008): Das Dioptas-Shattuckit-Vorkommen Kandesei im Kakokoland [sic]. Mineralien-Welt 19, 76-93 (in German).; Bowell, R J et al (2013) Minerals of the Kaokoveld District, Kunene Region, Namibia. Mineralogical Record 44:485-504 |
| Niedermayr, G.(2001): Mesopotamia 504 - die Typlokalität des Namibit. In: S. Jahn, O. Medenbach, G. Niedermayr, G. Schneider: Namibia - Zauberwelt edler Steine und Kristalle (1 and 2nd Edition, in German), 97-99; Niedermayr, G.(2001): Mesopotamia 504 - die Typlokalität des Namibit. In: S. Jahn, O. Medenbach, G. Niedermayr, G. Schneider: Namibia - Zauberwelt edler Steine und Kristalle (1 Edition, in German), 97-99 |
Norway | |
| Nordrum, F.S. & Larsen, A.O. (1995): Erts- og sekundærmineraler fra De Lampertiske Duers gruve, Moiseberg kobberverk i Fyresdal. Norsk Bergverksmuseum Skrift. 9, 38-41. |
Poland | |
| Gołębiowska, B., Pieczka, A., Parafiniuk, J. (2011): New data on weathering of bismuth sulfotellurides at Rędziny, Lower Silesia, Southwestern Poland. Mineralogia Special Papers: 38: 95-96 |
Portugal | |
| Alves, P. (2016) Beyerita y waylandita de la mina Miguel Vacas (Vila Viçosa, Évora, Portugal). Acopios, 7: 9-20. |
| Pedro Alves collection and analytical data |
Russia | |
| [World of Stones 95:5-6, p64] |
Spain | |
| 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) |
| Calvo, M. (2012). Minerales y Minas de España. Vol V. Carbonatos y Nitratos. Boratos. Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas de Madrid. Fundación Gómez Pardo. 711 págs. |
Sweden | |
| Aksel Österlöf specimen; Aksel Österlöf and Pavel Kartashov IDs, 2013. |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Verlag Wepf & Co. (Basel), p. 77 |
| Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Verlag Wepf & Co. (Basel), p. 77 |
| Meisser, N. (2012): La minéralogie de l'uranium dans le massif des Aiguilles Rouges. Matér. Géol. Suisse, Sér. géotech. 96, 183 p. |
| Ansermet, S. (2012): Mines et minéraux du Valais - II. Anniviers et Tourtemagne. With contributions by N. Meisser, Ed. Porte-plumes (Ayer) |
| Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 77. |
Tajikistan | |
| Handbook of Mineralogy |
Novgorodova, M.I., Generalov, M.Ye., Gorshkov, A.I., Sivtsov, A.V., Uspenskiy, Ye.I (1991) Association of native gold with bismuthyl carbonates and tellurates. Izvestiya Akad. Nauk SSSR, Ser. Geol.: 4: 102-108 (in Russian); in: Jambor, J.L., Grew, E.S. (1993): New mineral Names. :merican Mineralogist: 78: 234 | |
UK | |
| Wirth, M. & Green, D. (2002): The Shap granite quarry, Cumbria. UK Journal of Mines & Minerals. # 22, 43-52. |
USA | |
| No reference listed |
| 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). | |
Handbook of Mineralogy | |
| Jahns, R.H. (1952), Pegmatite Deposits of the White Picacho District, Maricopa and Yavapai Cos., AZ, AZ Bur. Mines Bull. 162: 93-96. |
| MinRec 15:273-290 |
| Foord, E. E. (1977), Famous Mineral Localities: the Himalaya Dike System, Mesa Grande District, San Diego County, California. Mineralogical Record 8(6): p. 471. |
| Mineralogical Record (2002): 33(5): 388. |
| [Mineralogical Record 29:164] |
| 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. |
| Mineralogical Magazine (1996), 60: 387-388. |
| "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 | |
| 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. ; USGS Prof. Paper 227 |
| Januzzi, 1976. Mineral Localities of CT & SE NY State |
| NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada |
| NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada |
| Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd rev. ed., 1996 Virginia T. McLemore, Nelia Dunbar, Matt T. Heizler, Kelly Donahue (2000): Geology and mineral deposits of the Victorio mining district, Luna County , New Mexico- Preliominary observations, New Mexico Geologic Society Guidebook, 51st field Conference, Southwest passage – A trip through the Phanerozoic, pp267-278 |
Min Rec 20:1 p57 | |
| Jahns, R. H. and Ewing, R. C. (1977): The Harding mine, Taos County, New Mexico. Mineralogical Record, 8 (2): 115-126.; 4th Annual New Mexico Mineral Symposium (1985) New Mexico Geology 7:18-19 |
| Collected by and in the collection of Alex Earl |
| Antonio Borrelli collection |
| Buchholz, T., A. Falster, A. & W. Simmons (2007) Waylandite, bismuth and associated minerals from the Waterloo Quarry, southern Wisconsin: 34th Rochester Mineralogical Symposium Abstracts: 7-8. |
Uzbekistan | |
| Evseev, A. A. (1995) Kazaknstan and Middle Asia. A brief Mineralogical Guide. World of Stone 8:24-30 |
Schneeberg District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany