Berborite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Berborite
Formula:
Be2(BO3)(OH) · H2O
OH may be replaced by minor F.
Colour:
Colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
2.200
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
For the chemical composition, a beryllium borate
Three polytypes are known: berborite-1T, -2T and -2H.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
629
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:629:5
Similar Names
| Barberiite | A valid IMA mineral species | (NH4)[BF4] |
| Barbierite | A synonym of Feldspar Group | |
| Birbirite | A rock subtype |
IMA Classification of Berborite
Approved
IMA Formula:
Be2BO3(OH)·H2O
Approval year:
1967
First published:
1967
Type description reference:
Classification of Berborite
6.AB.10
6 : BORATES
A : Monoborates
B : BO3, with additional anions; 1(D) + OH, etc.
6 : BORATES
A : Monoborates
B : BO3, with additional anions; 1(D) + OH, etc.
26.1.1.1
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : Monoborates
26 : HYDRATED BORATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
1 : Monoborates
10.1.3
10 : Borates with other anions
1 : Borates with halide
10 : Borates with other anions
1 : Borates with halide
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bbo | 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 Berborite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Hardness:
VHN100=85 - Vickers
Cleavage:
Perfect
{0001}
{0001}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
2.200(3) g/cm3 (Measured) 2.04 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Berborite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.580(1) nε = 1.485(2)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.095
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:
Low (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 uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Chemistry of Berborite
Mindat Formula:
Be2(BO3)(OH) · H2O
OH may be replaced by minor F.
OH may be replaced by minor F.
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Berborite
Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
Comment:
| Berborite-1T | Berborite-2H | Berborite-2T |
|---|---|---|
| Be2(BO3)(OH,F) · H2O | Be2(BO3)(OH,F) · H2O | Be2(BO3)(OH,F) · H2O |
| Trigonal | Hexagonal | Trigonal |
| 3 - Pyramidal | 6 - Pyramidal | 3m - Ditrigonal Pyramidal |
| P3 | P63 | P3c1 |
| a = 4.434(1) Å, c = 5.334(2) Å | a = 4.433(2) Å, c = 10.638(5) Å | a = 4.431(1) Å, c = 10.663(3) Å |
| a:c = 1 : 1.203 | a:c = 1 : 2.4 | a:c = 1 : 2.406 |
| V 90.82 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) | V 181.04 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) | V 181.31 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) |
| 1 | 2 | 2 |
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
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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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014718 | Berborite | Giuseppetti G, Mazzi F, Tadini C, Larsen A O, Asheim A, Raade G (1990) Berborite polytypes Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Abhandlungen 162 101-116 | 1990 | Saga I larvikite quarry, Morje, Porgrunn, Tvelan District, Norway | 0 | 293 | |
| 0014717 | Berborite | Giuseppetti G, Mazzi F, Tadini C, Larsen A O, Asheim A, Raade G (1990) Berborite polytypes Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Abhandlungen 162 101-116 | 1990 | Saga I larvikite quarry, Morje, Porgrunn, Tvelan District, Norway | 0 | 293 | |
| 0014716 | Berborite | Giuseppetti G, Mazzi F, Tadini C, Larsen A O, Asheim A, Raade G (1990) Berborite polytypes Neues Jahrbuch fur Mineralogie, Abhandlungen 162 101-116 | 1990 | Saga I larvikite quarry, Morje, Porgrunn, Tvelan District, Norway | 0 | 293 | |
| 0014696 | Berborite | Schlatti M (1967) Synthese und strukturtyp des berylliumborates Be2BO3(OH)*H2O Naturwissenschaften 54 587-587 | 1967 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.35 Å | (100) |
| 3.11 Å | (100) |
| 2.656 Å | (100) |
| 2.208 Å | (80) |
| 2.044 Å | (100) |
Comments:
(1T) polytype
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 31 : Thermally altered carbonate, phosphate, and iron formations | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] | |
| 47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] |
Type Occurrence of Berborite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
1) Mineralogical Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia, 15180.
2) Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia, 1003/1–1003/5.
3) A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 69274.
2) Mining Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia, 1003/1–1003/5.
3) A.E. Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, 69274.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
Skarn
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Berborite
Other Language Names for Berborite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 14 photos of Berborite associated with Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
| 9 photos of Berborite associated with Böhmite | AlO(OH) |
| 5 photos of Berborite associated with 'Spreustein' | Na2Al2Si3O10 · 2H2O |
| 3 photos of Berborite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 2 photos of Berborite associated with Thomsonite-Ca | NaCa2[Al5Si5O20] · 6H2O |
| 2 photos of Berborite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 1 photo of Berborite associated with Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 6.AB. | Chubarovite | KZn2(BO3)Cl2 |
| 6.AB. | Rhabdoborite-(Mo) | Mg12Mo6+1.33O6(BO3)6F2 |
| 6.AB.05 | Hambergite | Be2(BO3)(OH) |
| 6.AB.15 | Jeremejevite | Al6(BO3)5(F,OH)3 |
| 6.AB.20 | Yuanfuliite | Mg(Fe3+,Al)O(BO3) |
| 6.AB.20 | Warwickite | (Mg,Ti,Fe,Al)2O(BO3) |
| 6.AB.25 | Karlite | (Mg,Al)6.5(BO3)3(OH)4(◻,Cl)0.5 |
| 6.AB.30 | Marinaite | Cu2Fe3+O2(BO3) |
| 6.AB.30 | Savelievaite | Mg2Cr3+O2(BO3) |
| 6.AB.30 | Fredrikssonite | Mg2Mn3+O2(BO3) |
| 6.AB.30 | Vonsenite | Fe2+2Fe3+(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.30 | Ludwigite | Mg2Fe3+(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.30 | Azoproite | (Mg,Fe2+)2(Fe3+,Ti,Mg)(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.30 | Bonaccordite | Ni2Fe3+(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.35 | Folvikite | Sb5+Mn3+(Mg,Mn2+)10O8(BO3)4 |
| 6.AB.35 | Pinakiolite | (Mg,Mn2+)2Mn3+(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.40 | Takéuchiite | (Mg,Mn2+)2(Mn3+,Fe3+)(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.40 | Blatterite | Sb5+3(Mn3+,Fe3+)9(Mn2+,Mg)35(BO3)16O32 |
| 6.AB.40 | Orthopinakiolite | (Mg,Mn2+)2Mn3+(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.40 | Chestermanite | Mg2(Fe3+,Mn3+,Al,Sb3+)(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.45 | Aluminomagnesiohulsite | (Mg,Fe2+)2(Al,Mg,Sn)(BO3)O2 |
| 6.AB.45 | Hulsite | Fe2+2Fe3+O2(BO3) |
| 6.AB.45 | Magnesiohulsite | Mg2Fe3+O2(BO3) |
| 6.AB.50 | Fluoborite | Mg3(BO3)(F,OH)3 |
| 6.AB.50 | Hydroxylborite | Mg3(BO3)(OH)3 |
| 6.AB.55 | Shabynite | Mg5(BO3)(OH)5(Cl,OH)2 · 4H2O |
| 6.AB.55 | Wightmanite | Mg5(BO3)O(OH)5 · 2H2O |
| 6.AB.60 | Gaudefroyite | Ca4Mn3+2-3(BO3)3(CO3)(O,OH)3 |
| 6.AB.65 | Sakhaite | Ca48Mg16(BO3)32(CO3)16 · 2(H2O,HCl) |
| 6.AB.70 | Harkerite | Ca48Mg16[AlSi4O15(OH)]4(BO3)16(CO3)16 · 2(H2O,HCl) |
| 6.AB.75 | Pertsevite-(F) | Mg2(BO3)(F,OH) |
| 6.AB.75 | Pertsevite-(OH) | Mg2(BO3)(OH) |
| 6.AB.80 | Jacquesdietrichite | Cu2(H2BO3)(OH)3 |
| 6.AB.85 | Rhabdoborite-(V) | Mg12(V5+,Mo6+,W6+)1.5O6{[BO3]6-x[(P,As)O4]xF2-x} (x < 1) |
| 6.AB.85 | Rhabdoborite-(W) | Mg12(W6+,V5+)1.5O6{[BO3]6-x[(P,As)O4]xF2-x} |
| 6.AB.85 | Painite | CaZrAl9(BO3)O15 |
| 6.AB.90 | Mengxianminite | (Ca,Na)2Sn2(Mg,Fe)3Al8[(BO3)(BeO4)O6]2 |
Other Information
Notes:
Infusible but whitens before the blowpipe, gives off water in a closed tube.
Not dissolved by HCl or HNO3. Dissolved by HF and concentrated H2SO4 when heated.
Not dissolved by HCl or HNO3. Dissolved by HF and concentrated H2SO4 when heated.
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 Berborite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-629.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Berborite
Localities for Berborite
Showing 20 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.
Norway | |
| [Berborite-1T, Berborite-2H, Berborite-2T] Giuseppetti et al. (1990) |
| Giuseppetti et al. (1990) | |
| Larsen et al. (2005) | |
| Engvoldsen et al. (1991) | |
| Larsen et al. (1991) |
| Berge (n.d.) |
| Larsen (2020) |
| Larsen et al. (2010) |
| Engvoldsen et al. (1991) | |
| collected in 2014 by Jens Andreas Larsen | |
| Engvoldsen et al. (1991) | |
| Nordrum (2007) | |
Russia | |
| Aleksandrov et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
| [Berborite-1T] Nefedov (1967) +3 other references |
Spain | |
| Dill et al. (2023) |
| Dill et al. (2023) |
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Saga 1 Quarry, Sagåsen, Auenlandet, Porsgrunn, Telemark, Norway