Barylite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Barylite
Formula:
Be2Ba(Si2O7)
Colour:
Bluish white, colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
7
Specific Gravity:
4.066
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
Named in 1876 by Christian Wilhelm Blomstrand from the Greek for βαρυζ = "heavy" and λιτθοσ = "stone", in allusion to its high density (specific gravity).
Barylite was first recognized in 1874 by C. W. Blomstrand (1876) in the Långban Mine, Värmland, Sweden. The mineral was originally bought from the Swedish mineral collector E. Petterson Trapp. At the time Blomstrand erronously regarded barylite as a Ba-Al-silicate (beryllium was not detected) related to the barium feldspars. It was first when an analysis made by Almström that Aminoff (1923) revealed that it was a Ba-Be-silicate.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
545
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:545:4
Similar Names
| Baralite | A synonym of 'Bavalite' | |
| Barolite (of Kirwan) | A synonym of Witherite | |
| Barytite | A synonym of Baryte | |
| Berylite | A synonym of Beryl | |
| Beryllite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Be3(SiO4)(OH)2 · H2O |
| Bowralite | A rock subtype |
IMA Classification of Barylite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
BaBe2Si2O7
First published:
1876
Classification of Barylite
9.BB.15
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
B : Si2O7 groups, without non-tetrahedral anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] and greater coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
B : Sorosilicates
B : Si2O7 groups, without non-tetrahedral anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] and greater coordination
55.1.1.1
55 : SOROSILICATES Si2O7 Groups,Generally with no Additional Anions
1 : Si2O7 Groups, Generally with no Additional Anions with cations in [4] and higher coordination
55 : SOROSILICATES Si2O7 Groups,Generally with no Additional Anions
1 : Si2O7 Groups, Generally with no Additional Anions with cations in [4] and higher coordination
14.3.11
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.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| By | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Blt | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Barylite
Vitreous, Greasy
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Bluish white, colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
7 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=734 - Vickers
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Good on {001} and {100}, imperfect on {010}.
Good on {001} and {100}, imperfect on {010}.
Density:
4.066(2) g/cm3 (Measured) 4.01 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Barylite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.69 nβ = 1.69 - 1.7 nγ = 1.7
2V:
Measured: 40°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.010
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:
weak to moderate
Chemistry of Barylite
Mindat Formula:
Be2Ba(Si2O7)
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Al,Fe,Zn,Pb,Mg,Ca
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | |
|---|---|
| SiO2 | 35.51 % |
| BeO | 16.01 % |
| Al2O3 | 0.05 % |
| BaO | 47.43 % |
| Fe2O3 | 0.04 % |
| CaO | 0.42 % |
| MgO | 0.21 % |
| H2O | 0.57 % |
| Total: | 100.24 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Långban Mine, Långban Ore District, Filipstad, Värmland County, Sweden | Wet-chemical analysis by G. Karl Almström |
Crystallography of Barylite
Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
Comment:
| Barylite-1O | Barylite-2O |
|---|---|
| Be2Ba(Si2O7) | Be2Ba(Si2O7) |
| Monoclinic | Orthorhombic |
| m - Domatic | |
| Pm | |
| a = 11.618(3) Å, b = 4.904(1) Å, c = 4.655(1) Å β = 89.94(2)° | a = 11.67 Å, b = 9.82 Å, c = 4.69 Å |
| a:b:c = 2.369 : 1 : 0.949 | a:b:c = 1.188 : 1 : 0.478 |
| V 265.22 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) | V 537.47 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) |
| 2 | 4 |
| Space Group: Pmnb |
Crystal Structure
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0019463 | Barylite | Di Domizio A J, Downs R T, Yang H (2012) Redetermination of clinobarylite, BaBe2Si2O7 Acta Crystallographica E68 i78-i79 |  | 2012 | Yukspor Mountain, Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia | 0 | 293 |
| 0014931 | Barylite | Krivovichev S V, Yakovenchuk V N, Armbruster T, Mikhailova Y, Pakhomovsky Y A (2004) Clinobarylite, BaBe2Si2O7: Structure refinement, and revision of symmetry and physical properties Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Monatshefte 2004 373-384 | 2004 | Khibina alkaline massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000560 | Barylite | Robinson P D, Fang J H (1977) Barylite, BaBe2Si2O7: its space group and crystal structure American Mineralogist 62 167-169 |  | 1977 | amazonite pocket, Park County, Colorado, USA | 0 | 293 |
| 0019221 | Barylite | Abrashev K K, Ilyukhin V V, Belov N V (1965) Crystal structure of barylite, BaBe2Si2O7 Coordinates of x(O2), z(O3), x(O7), z(Be1) modified acording to ICSD Soviet Physics Crystallography 9 691-699 | 1965 | Vishnevye Hills, USSR | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019239 | Barylite | Rastsvetaeva R K, Chukanov N V (2003) Crystal structure and microtwinning of a new mineral clinobarylite, BaBe2Si2O7 Doklady Akademii Nauk 388 205-207 | 2003 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.923 Å | (100) |
| 2.981 Å | (95) |
| 3.381 Å | (80) |
| 5.80 Å | (79) |
| 3.043 Å | (78) |
| 2.075 Å | (54) |
| 1.682 Å | (53) |
| - Å | () |
| 3.37 Å | (100) |
| 3.04 Å | (80) |
| 2.68 Å | (80) |
| 1.74 Å | (70) |
| 4.88 Å | (60) |
| 1.69 Å | (60) |
| 3.24 Å | (50) |
Comments:
Top: Khibiny, Kola, Russia. Barylite-1O polytpe.
Bot: Långban, Sweden. Barylite-2O polytype.
Bot: Långban, Sweden. Barylite-2O polytype.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 4a: Earth’s earliest continental crust | >4.4-3.0 |
| 19 : Granitic intrusive rocks | |
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Type Occurrence of Barylite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Poorly developed platy crystals up to 1 cm.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No defined type material.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Barylite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 10 photos of Barylite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
| 10 photos of Barylite associated with Tilasite | CaMg(AsO4)F |
| 8 photos of Barylite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 7 photos of Barylite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 5 photos of Barylite associated with Willemite | Zn2SiO4 |
| 4 photos of Barylite associated with Svabite | Ca5(AsO4)3F |
| 3 photos of Barylite associated with Lizardite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| 3 photos of Barylite associated with Berzeliite | (NaCa2)Mg2(AsO4)3 |
| 3 photos of Barylite associated with 'Schefferite' | (Ca,Mn)(Mg,Fe,Mn)Si2O6 |
| 2 photos of Barylite associated with Bastnäsite-(Ce) | Ce(CO3)F |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.BB.10 | Hardystonite | Ca2Zn[Si2O7] |
| 9.BB.10 | Okayamalite | Ca2B[BSiO7] |
| 9.BB.10 | Jeffreyite | (Ca,Na)2(Be,Al)(Si2O7,HSi2O7) |
| 9.BB.10 | Alumoåkermanite | (CaNa)Al[Si2O7] |
| 9.BB.10 | Åkermanite | Ca2Mg[Si2O7] |
| 9.BB.10 | 'Ferri-gehlenite' | Ca2Fe3+[AlSiO7] |
| 9.BB.10 | Gehlenite | Ca2Al[AlSiO7] |
| 9.BB.10 | Ferroåkermanite | Ca2Fe[Si2O7] |
| 9.BB.10 | Cebollite | Ca5Al2(SiO4)3(OH)4 |
| 9.BB.10 | Hydroxylgugiaite | (Ca,◻)2(Si,Be)[(Be,Si)2O5.5(OH)1.5] |
| 9.BB.10 | Gugiaite | Ca2Be[Si2O7] |
| 9.BB.15 | 'Barylite-1O' | Be2Ba(Si2O7) |
| 9.BB.20 | Bennesherite | Ba2Fe2+[Si2O7] |
| 9.BB.20 | Andrémeyerite | BaFe2+2(Si2O7) |
Fluorescence of Barylite
May fluoresce vivid blue.
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 Barylite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-545.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Barylite
Reference List:
Weibull, Mats (1900) Om barylit och cordierit. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 22 (1) 33-42 doi:10.1080/11035890009448639
Aminoff, G. (1923) Om en association med barylit och hedyfan vid Långban. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 45 (1) 124-143 doi:10.1080/11035892309444547
Palache, Charles, Bauer, L. H. (1930) On the occurrence of beryllium in the zinc deposits of Franklin, New Jersey. American Mineralogist, 15 (1) 30-33
Ygberg, Erik R. (1941) On the structure of barylite. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 63 (4) 394-404 doi:10.1080/11035894109445076
Ygberg, Erik R. (1941) Barylite in relation to other similar silicates. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar, 63 (4) 405-412 doi:10.1080/11035894109445077
Heinrich, E. William, Deane, R. W. (1962) Mineralogical Notes: An occurrence of barylite near Seal Lake, Labrador. American Mineralogist, 47 (5-6) 758-763
Nickel, E. H., Charette, D. J. (1962) Additional data on barylite from Seal Lake, Labrador. American Mineralogist, 47 (5-6) 764-768
Sæbø, Per Christian (1966) Contributions to the mineralogy of Norway. No. 35. The first occurrences of the rare mineral barylite, Be2BaSi2O7, in Norway. Norsk Geologisk Tidsskrift [Norwegian Journal of Geology], 46 (3). p.335-348.
Robinson, P. D., Fang, J. H. (1977) Barylite, BaBe2Si2O7: its space group and crystal structure. American Mineralogist, 62 (1-2) 167-169
Chukanov, N. V., Pekov, I. V., Rastsvetaeva, R. K., Chilov, G. V., Zadov, A. E. (2003) Clinobarylite, BaBe2Si2O7, a new mineral from Khibiny massif, Kola peninsula. Zapiski Vserossijskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva, 132 (1) 29-37
Merlino, Stefano, Biagioni, Cristian, Bonaccorsi, Elena, Chukanov, Nikita V., Pekov, Igor V., Krivovichev, Sergey V., Yakovenchuk, Viktor N., Armbruster, Thomas (2015) ‘Clinobarylite’–barylite: order-disorder relationships and nomenclature. Mineralogical Magazine, 79 (1) 145-155 doi:10.1180/minmag.2015.079.1.12
Localities for Barylite
Showing 54 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.
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Crystal Peak, Teller County, Colorado, USA