Beyerite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Beyerite
Formula:
Ca(BiO)2(CO3)2
Colour:
White to bright yellow, or greyish-green, grey; light yellow to colourless in transmitted light
Lustre:
Adamantine, Vitreous
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:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
654
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:654:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
d3e2f674-4d77-4da0-8059-bde934178bdb
IMA Classification of Beyerite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
CaBi2O2(CO3)2
Classification of Beyerite
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bey | 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 Beyerite
Adamantine, Vitreous
Colour:
White to bright yellow, or greyish-green, grey; light yellow to colourless in transmitted light
Streak:
White
Hardness:
2 - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
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.
Chemistry of Beyerite
Mindat Formula:
Ca(BiO)2(CO3)2
Elements listed:
Chemical Analysis
wt%
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| O | 10.12 % |
| Ca | 7.5 % |
| Cu | 0.42 % |
| Bi | 81.96 % |
| Total: | 100 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gualba quarries, Gualba, Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain | White transparent silky fibers associated to bismuth. |
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.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0005771 | Beyerite | Grice J D (2002) A solution to the crystal structures of bismutite and beyerite The Canadian Mineralogist 40 693-698 |  | 2002 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.632 Å | (60) |
| 3.354 Å | (60) |
| 2.851 Å | (100) |
| 2.721 Å | (90) |
| 1.755 Å | (80) |
| 1.688 Å | (70) |
| 1.530 Å | (80) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
| 47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Beyerite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Pulverulent earthy masses and drusy crystals; massive earthy. The crystals are sparkling rectangular plates up to 0.5 mm. The plates are extremely thin and are commonly grouped into subparallel aggregates or rosettes.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, numbers 91593, 111598.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, numbers 94017, C2251, R2756.
National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C., USA, numbers 94017, C2251, R2756.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Beyerite
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 19 photos of Beyerite associated with Namibite | Cu(BiO)2(VO4)(OH) |
| 14 photos of Beyerite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 7 photos of Beyerite associated with Bismuth | Bi |
| 6 photos of Beyerite associated with Pseudomalachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 6 photos of Beyerite associated with Mixite | BiCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 6 photos of Beyerite associated with Bismutite | (BiO)2CO3 |
| 5 photos of Beyerite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 4 photos of Beyerite associated with Copper-bearing Adamite | (Zn,Cu)2AsO4OH |
| 3 photos of Beyerite associated with Stolzite | Pb(WO4) |
| 3 photos of Beyerite associated with Bismite | Bi2O3 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 5.BE.X | Abellaite | NaPb2(CO3)2(OH) |
| 5.BE.05 | Shannonite | Pb2O(CO3) |
| 5.BE.10 | Hydrocerussite | Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 5.BE.15 | Plumbonacrite | Pb5O(OH)2(CO3)3 |
| 5.BE.20 | Phosgenite | Pb2CO3Cl2 |
| 5.BE.25 | Bismutite | (BiO)2CO3 |
| 5.BE.30 | Kettnerite | CaBiCO3OF |
| 5.BE.40 | Grootfonteinite | Pb3O(CO3)2 |
| 5.BE.45 | Somersetite | Pb8O2(OH)2(CO3)5 |
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.
Internet Links for Beyerite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-654.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Beyerite
Localities for Beyerite
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.
Argentina | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Oyarzábal et al. (2016) |
Australia | |
| Neil A. Richards 2005. |
| Pring et al. (2000) |
Austria | |
| Taucher (1994) +1 other reference |
| Niedermayr et al. (2006) |
| Lapis 25 (12) |
| Bayerl (2004) | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
| Pires et al. (2020) |
Canada | |
| Miles et al. (1971) |
Czech Republic | |
| Černý |
| Dunning et al. (1998) |
| Lapis 2002 (7/8) | |
France | |
| ESCANDE et al. (1973) +6 other references |
| ESCANDE et al. (1973) +6 other references | |
| Lheur (2023) |
| Analyse by MNHN of Luxembourg +1 other reference | |
| Georges FAVREAU collection and EDX ... |
Germany | |
| Wittern (1995) |
| Wendel et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
| Gröbner et al. (2005) |
| Kolitsch et al. (1995) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| |
| American Mineralogist: 69: 1190 +1 other reference |
| Gröbner (2003) |
| Markl (1996) |
| J. Gröbner: Neufunde von der Grube Katharina im Wildschapbach (2/2004) | |
| |
| Wittern (2001) | |
| Habel (2009) |
| Lorenz et al. (2007) |
| 62. +1 other reference |
| 62. +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Hajek (2010) |
| Witzke (1993) +1 other reference |
| Färber (n.d.) | |
| |
| Stephan Wolfsried collection |
| Belendorff (2009) | |
| J. Hoppner Collection | |
| collection Leon Hupperichs | |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) | |
| Lapis 30 (7/8) |
| Schlegel et al. (1996) | |
| T. Witzke et al.: Lapis 2001 (12) |
Greece | |
| Solomos et al. (2004) |
| Fritz Schreiber specimen +2 other references | |
India | |
| Amer Min (1969) |
Italy | |
| Bedognè et al. (1993) |
| Guastoni et al. (2015) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Piccoli et al. (2007) |
| Biagioni et al. (2008) |
Japan | |
| Uehara et al. (2013) |
| The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) |
| The Mineral Species of Japan (5th ed) +1 other reference |
Mozambique | |
| Gomes et al. (2022) |
Namibia | |
| P. Keller and O. von Knorring |
| Niedermayr (2001) +1 other reference |
| Niedermayr et al. (2008) +1 other reference |
Norway | |
| Nordrum (2006) |
| Nordrum et al. (1995) | |
Poland | |
| Gołębiowska et al. (2011) |
| Kozłowski et al. (2018) |
| Kozłowski et al. (2018) |
Portugal | |
| Alves (2016) |
| Pedro Alves collection and analytical ... |
Russia | |
| Kasatkin et al. (2022) |
| [World of Stones 95:5-6 |
Spain | |
| Rewitzer et al. (2018) |
| Schnorrer (2000) |
| Calvo (2012) |
| Joan Rosell - Joan Astor |
| Castillo-Oliver et al. (2019) |
Sweden | |
| Aksel Osterlof specimen +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Stalder et al. (1998) |
| Ansermet (2012) |
| Meisser (2012) |
Tajikistan | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Novgorodova et al. (1991) +1 other reference | |
Turkey | |
| Powell et al. (2021) |
UK | |
| Wirth et al. (2002) |
USA | |
| |
| Joe Ruiz |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... | |
| Grant et al. (2005) | |
| Jahns (1952) |
| DeVito et al. (1984) |
| MarekC pers. coll. |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
| Foord (1977) |
| Mineralogical Record (2002) |
| Dunning et al. (1998) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Mineralogical Magazine (1996) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Dunning et al. (1998) | |
| Pearl +1 other reference | |
| Pearl +1 other reference | |
| Hanley et al. (1950) +2 other references |
| Januzzi |
| Falster et al. (2019) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Northrop et al. (1996) +1 other reference |
| Min Rec 20:1 p57 | |
| undefined |
| Jahns et al. (1977) +1 other reference |
| Mineralogical Magazine +1 other reference |
| Coolbaugh et al. (2020) | |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
| Antonio Borrelli collection |
| Buchholz et al. (2007) +1 other reference |
| Buchholz et al. (2019) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Evseev (1995) |
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Siebenschlehen Mine, Neustädtel, Schneeberg, Erzgebirgskreis, Saxony, Germany