Liberite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Liberite
Formula:
Li2BeSiO4
Colour:
Pale yellow to brown
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
7
Specific Gravity:
2.6875 - 2.6885
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1964 by Chao for the component elements: lithium and beryllium.
Known as a synthetic compound.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2393
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2393:7
Similar Names
| Biberite | A synonym of Bieberite | |
| Iberite (of Schlegelmilch) | ||
| Iberite (of Svanberg) | A synonym of 'Gigantolite' | |
| Luberoite | A valid IMA mineral species | Pt5Se4 |
| Siberite | A variety of Elbaite | Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
IMA Classification of Liberite
Approved
Classification of Liberite
9.AA.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
A : Nesosilicates without additional anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
A : Nesosilicates without additional anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] coordination
Dana 7th ed.:
51.1.2.1
51.1.2.1
51 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
1 : Insular SiO4 Groups Only with cations in [4] coordination
51 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
1 : Insular SiO4 Groups Only with cations in [4] coordination
14.3.4
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
3 : Silicates of Be
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
3 : Silicates of Be
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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Lbr | 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 Liberite
Vitreous, Greasy
Colour:
Pale yellow to brown
Hardness:
7 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Perfect on {010}, distinct on {100} and {001}
Perfect on {010}, distinct on {100} and {001}
Density:
2.6875 - 2.6885 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.69 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Liberite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.622 nβ = 1.6332 nγ = 1.638
2V:
Measured: 66° , Calculated: 66° to 66.3°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.016
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v to r < v strong
Comments:
Z^c(a in structure cell)=41 degrees
Chemistry of Liberite
Mindat Formula:
Li2BeSiO4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Al,Fe,Mg,Ca,Na,K,H2O
Crystallography of Liberite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
m - Domatic
Space Group:
Pm
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.68 Å, b = 4.95 Å, c = 6.13 Å
β = 90.5°
β = 90.5°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.945 : 1 : 1.238
Unit Cell V:
142.00 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Minute aggregates occasionally display pinnacoidal faces.
Comment:
Pseudo-orthorhombic.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014174 | Liberite | Han-ching C (1966) The crystal structure of liberite Kexue Tongbao 17 425-428 | 1966 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.82 Å | (100) |
| 3.71 Å | (100) |
| 3.40 Å | (70) |
| 2.59 Å | (100) |
| 2.47 Å | (90) |
| 2.35 Å | (90) |
| 2.27 Å | (90) |
| 2.19 Å | (70) |
Locality:
Comments:
Made on synthetic material
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Type Occurrence of Liberite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In veins cutting lepidolite-fluorite-magnetite "ribbon rock" in tactite
Other Language Names for Liberite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Liberite associated with Hsianghualite | Ca3Li2(Be3Si3O12)F2 |
| 3 photos of Liberite associated with Bromellite | BeO |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AA.05 | Phenakite | Be2SiO4 |
| 9.AA.05 | Eucryptite | LiAlSiO4 |
| 9.AA.05 | Willemite | Zn2SiO4 |
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 Liberite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2393.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Liberite
Localities for Liberite
Showing 3 localities.
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 | |
| Li et al. (2023) |
| Chao Ch'un-lin (1964) |
Poland | |
| Pieczka et al. (2012) |
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Xianghualing Mine, Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu Co., Chenzhou, Hunan, China