Bavenite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Bavenite
Formula:
Ca4Be2Al2Si9O26(OH)2
Colour:
White
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
5½
Specific Gravity:
2.71 - 2.74
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
After the type locality of Baveno, Piedmont, Italy.
Bavenite-Bohseite Series.
The composition extends from Ca4Be2Al2Si9O26(OH)2 to Ca4Be3AlSi9O25(OH)3.
The bavenite-bohseite relation is described by the following substitution scheme: O(2)OH– + T(4)Si4+ + T(3)Be2+ ↔ O(2)O2– + T(4)Al3+ + T(3)Si4+.
The composition extends from Ca4Be2Al2Si9O26(OH)2 to Ca4Be3AlSi9O25(OH)3.
The bavenite-bohseite relation is described by the following substitution scheme: O(2)OH– + T(4)Si4+ + T(3)Be2+ ↔ O(2)O2– + T(4)Al3+ + T(3)Si4+.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
577
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:577:3
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Bavenite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Ca4Be2+xAl2-xSi9O26-x(OH)2+x (x = 0 to 1)
First published:
1901
Classification of Bavenite
9.DF.25
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
F : Inosilicates with 2-periodic multiple chains
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
F : Inosilicates with 2-periodic multiple chains
70.5.3.1
70 : INOSILICATES Column or Tube Structures
5 : Column or Tube Structures with chains linked by Be
70 : INOSILICATES Column or Tube Structures
5 : Column or Tube Structures with chains linked by Be
16.6.3
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
6 : Aluminosilicates of Be
16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
6 : Aluminosilicates 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bvn | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Bavenite
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Bavenite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5½ on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {001}, fair on {100}
Perfect on {001}, fair on {100}
Density:
2.71 - 2.74 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.74(5) g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Bavenite
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.578 - 1.586 nβ = 1.579 - 1.586 nγ = 1.583 - 1.593
2V:
Measured: 22° to 60°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.005 - 0.007
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 (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r < v moderate
Optical Extinction:
X = c; Y = b; Z = a
Chemistry of Bavenite
Mindat Formula:
Ca4Be2Al2Si9O26(OH)2
Element Weights:
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
| 1 | 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| CaO | 24.44 % | 24.01 % |
| Al2O3 | 7.50 % | 9.19 % |
| SiO2 | 58.81 % | 58.97 % |
| BeO | 7.27 % | 6.25 % |
| Na2O | 0.06 % | 0.06 % |
| H2O | 2.62 % | 2.31 % |
| Total: | 100.7 % | 100.79 % |
Sample references:
| ID | Locality | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Himberg Quarry, Ramnes, Tønsberg, Vestfold, Norway | ||
| 2 | E 134 Road, Drammen, Buskerud, Norway |
Crystallography of Bavenite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mm2 - Pyramidal
Cell Parameters:
a = 19.39(2) Å, b = 23.19(2) Å, c = 5.005(9) Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.836 : 1 : 0.216
Unit Cell V:
2,250.52 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Type material: {100} (large), {110}, {210}, {101}, {103}.
Twinning:
On {100}
Comment:
Space group Am2a (non-standard setting).
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0019897 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Ekaterinburg (near), Ural, Russia | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019896 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Lily Pad Lake, Fort Hope, Ontario, Canada | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019895 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Norway | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019894 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Baveno, Italy | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019893 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Nye Rull, Buskerud, Norway | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019892 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019891 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Vlastejovice, Czech Republic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019890 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Marsikov, Schinderhubel 1, Czech Republic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019889 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Drahonin A, Czech Republic | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019888 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Lily Pad Lake, Fort Hope, Ontario, Canada | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019887 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Lily Pad Lake, Fort Hope, Ontario, Canada | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019886 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Lily Pad Lake, Fort Hope, Ontario, Canada | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019885 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Ascham Alm, Untersulzbachtal, Salzburg, Austria | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019884 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Oresco, Val Vigeddo, Italy | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019883 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Aple Rossa, Oresco, Novara, Italy | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019882 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Lily Pad Lake, Fort Hope, Ontario, Canada | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019881 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Foote Mine, King's Mountain, Cleavland County, North Carolina | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019880 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Sandvik Property, Zealand Twp., Kenora District, Ontario | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019879 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Londonderry, West Australia | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019878 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Baveno, Italy | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019877 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Kalisay, Kyrgizstan | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019876 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Government Pit, Albany, New Hampshire | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019875 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Ilimaussaq, Kangerluarsuk Fjord, Greenland | 0 | 293 | |
| 0019874 | Bavenite | Lussier A J, Hawthorne F C (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite Mineralogical Magazine 75 213-239 | 2011 | Rincon, San Diego County, California | 0 | 293 | |
| 0005039 | Bavenite | Armstrong J A, Friis H, Lieb A, Finch A A, Weller M T (2010) Combined single-crystal X-ray and neutron powder diffraction structure analysis exemplified through full structure determinations of framework and layer beryllate minerals American Mineralogist 95 519-526 | 2010 | Ilimaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland | 0 | 293 | |
| 0009299 | Bavenite | Cannillo E, Coda A, Fagnani G (1966) The crystal structure of bavenite Acta Crystallographica 20 301-309 |  | 1966 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.74 Å | (100) |
| 3.35 Å | (90) |
| 3.24 Å | (80) |
| 3.13 Å | (70) |
| 3.05 Å | (70) |
| 2.56 Å | (60) |
| 4.19 Å | (50) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
| 26 : Hadean detrital minerals | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Bavenite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Tufts, with a fibrous radiating structure, or thin prisms.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Municipal Museum of Natural History, Milan, Italy.
Natural History Museum, Paris, France, 108.1881, 108.1882.
Natural History Museum, Paris, France, 108.1881, 108.1882.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In miarolitic cavities in granite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Bavenite
Other Language Names for Bavenite
Relationship of Bavenite to other Species
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 79 photos of Bavenite associated with Chlorite Group | |
| 79 photos of Bavenite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 61 photos of Bavenite associated with Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
| 57 photos of Bavenite associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 54 photos of Bavenite associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 51 photos of Bavenite associated with 'Smoky Quartz' | SiO2 |
| 45 photos of Bavenite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 20 photos of Bavenite associated with Prehnite | Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 |
| 18 photos of Bavenite associated with Clinochlore | Mg5Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)8 |
| 17 photos of Bavenite associated with Feldspar Group |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.DF. | Bohseite | Ca4Be3+xAl1-xSi9O25-x(OH)3+x |
| 9.DF.05 | Jimthompsonite | (Mg,Fe)5Si6O16(OH)2 |
| 9.DF.05 | Clinojimthompsonite | (Mg,Fe)5Si6O16(OH)2 |
| 9.DF.05 | Chesterite | (Mg,Fe)17Si20O54(OH)6 |
| 9.DF.15 | Ershovite | Na4K3(Fe,Mn,Ti)2Si8O22(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 9.DF.15 | Paraershovite | Na3K3Fe3+2Si8O20(OH)4 · 4H2O |
| 9.DF.20 | Tvedalite | (Ca,Mn)4Be3Si6O17(OH)4 · 3H2O |
| 9.DF.30 | Bigcreekite | BaSi2O5 · 4H2O |
Other Information
Electrical:
Weakly piezoelectric.
Notes:
Fuses easily in a flame, with luminescence.
Affected slightly by acids, even with a fine powder and hot acid.
Affected slightly by acids, even with a fine powder and hot acid.
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 Bavenite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-577.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Bavenite
Reference List:
Schaller, Waldemar T., Fairchild, John G. (1932) Bavenite, a beryllium mineral, pseudomorphous after beryl, from California. American Mineralogist, 17 (9) 409-422
Ksanda, C. J., Merwin, H. E. (1933) Bavenite: Symmetry, unit cell. American Mineralogist, 18 (8) 341-344
Claringbull, G. F. (1940) Occurrences of bavenite in Switzerland. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 25 (168) 495-497 doi:10.1180/minmag.1940.025.168.04
Fleischer, Michael, Switzer, George (1953) The bavenite problem. American Mineralogist, 38 (11-12) 988-993
(1962) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 33 (258) 260-263 doi:10.1180/minmag.1962.033.258.09
Cannilo, E., Coda, A., Fagnani, G. (1966) The crystal structure of bavenite. Acta Crystallographica, 20 (2) 301-309 doi:10.1107/s0365110x66000586
Kharitonov, Yu. A.; Kuz'min, É. A.; Ilyukhin, V. V.; Belov, N. V. (1971) The crystal structure of bavenite. Journal of Structural Chemistry, 12 (1). 72-76 doi:10.1007/bf00744541
Manning, D.A.C., Putthapiban, P., Suensilpong, S. (1983) An occurrence of bavenite, Ca4Be2Al2(SiO3)9·xH2O, in Thailand. Mineralogical Magazine, 47 (342) 87-89 doi:10.1180/minmag.1983.047.342.19
Armstrong, J. A., Friis, H., Lieb, A., Finch, A. A., Weller, M. T. (2010) Combined single-crystal X-ray and neutron powder diffraction structure analysis exemplified through full structure determinations of framework and layer beryllate minerals. American Mineralogist, 95 (4) 519-526 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3276
Lussier, A. J., Hawthorne, F. C. (2011) Short-range constraints on chemical and structural variations in bavenite. Mineralogical Magazine, 75 (1) 213-239 doi:10.1180/minmag.2011.075.1.213
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2015) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2015, CNMNC Newsletter No 24. Mineralogical Magazine, 79 (2) 247-251 doi:10.1180/minmag.2015.079.2.03
Szełęg, E., Zuzens, B., Hawthorne, F. C., Pieczka, A., Szuszkiewicz, A., Turniak, K., Nejbert, K., Ilnicki, S. S., Friis, H., Makovicky, E., Weller, M. T., Lemée-Cailleau, M.-H. (2017) Bohseite, ideally Ca4Be4Si9O24(OH)4, from the Piława Górna quarry, the Góry Sowie Block, SW Poland. Mineralogical Magazine, 81 (1) 35-46 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.066
Localities for Bavenite
Showing 329 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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Baveno, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province, Piedmont, Italy