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
Similar Names
| Baierite | A synonym of 'Columbite' | |
| Bauerite | SiO2 | |
| Bayerite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | Al(OH)3 |
| Bayerite II | A synonym of Nordstrandite | |
| Bederite | A valid IMA mineral species | Ca2(Mn2+)4(Fe3+)2(PO4)6 · 2H2O |
| Geyerite | A variety of Löllingite | Fe(As,S)2 |
| Reyerite | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | (Na,K)2Ca14(Si,Al)24O58(OH)8 · 6H2O |
IMA Classification of Beyerite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
CaBi3+2O2(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 for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| 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 = 2.13 nε = 1.97
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.160
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:
Very High (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.
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
Element Weights:
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/m2/m2/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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Rotation
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Labels
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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
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 23 photos of Beyerite associated with Namibite | Cu(BiO)2(VO4)(OH) |
| 20 photos of Beyerite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 8 photos of Beyerite associated with Mixite | BiCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6 · 3H2O |
| 8 photos of Beyerite associated with Bismutite | (BiO)2CO3 |
| 7 photos of Beyerite associated with Native Bismuth | Bi |
| 6 photos of Beyerite associated with Pseudomalachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 5 photos of Beyerite associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1 |
| 5 photos of Beyerite associated with Bismuthinite | Bi2S3 |
| 4 photos of Beyerite associated with 'Copper-bearing Adamite' | (Zn,Cu)2AsO4OH |
| 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.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Beyerite
Localities for Beyerite
Showing 133 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.
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 (2006) |
| Sammer (2000) |
| Bayerl (2004) | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
Brazil | |
| Pires et al. (2020) |
Canada | |
| M et al. (1971) |
Czech Republic | |
| Černý |
| Dunning et al. (1998) |
| Hloušek et al. (2002) | |
France | |
| Bruno Ducluzaux Collection |
| Escande et al. (1973) +6 other references |
| Escande et al. (1973) +6 other references | |
| Lheur (2023) |
| Analyse by MNHN of Luxembourg +1 other reference | |
| Favreau et al. (2024) |
| Georges FAVREAU collection and EDX ... +1 other reference | |
Germany | |
| [Wittern (1995) |
| Wendel et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
| Gröbner et al. (2005) |
| Kolitsch et al. (1995) |
| Walenta (1992) |
| Pedro Alves collection. |
| |
| Dunn et al. (1984) +1 other reference |
| Gröbner (2003) |
| Markl (1996) |
| Walenta (1998) | |
| Walenta (1998) | |
| Gröbner (2004) | |
| Walenta (1989) |
| Walenta (1994) +1 other reference |
| Habel (2001) +1 other reference |
| Lorenz et al. (2007) |
| Schnorrer (1995) +1 other reference |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Schnorrer (1995) +1 other reference |
| Hajek (2010) |
| Witzke (1993) +1 other reference |
| Färber (n.d.) | |
| |
| Stephan Wolfsried collection |
| Belendorff (2009) | |
| J. Hoppner Collection | |
| collection Leon Hupperichs | |
| Massanek et al. (2005) | |
| Massanek et al. (2005) |
| Schlegel et al. (1996) | |
| Witzke et al. (2001) |
Greece | |
| Solomos et al. (2004) |
| Fritz Schreiber collection +2 other references | |
| Fitros et al. (2017) |
India | |
| Amer Min (1969) |
Italy | |
| Marchesini et al. (2025) +1 other reference |
| 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 |
Morocco | |
| Georges FAVREAU collection & EDX ... |
Mozambique | |
| Gomes et al. (2022) |
Namibia | |
| Keller et al. (1989) |
| Niedermayr (2001) +1 other reference |
| Niedermayr et al. (2008) +1 other reference |
Norway | |
| Nordrum (2006) |
| Nordrum et al. (1995) | |
Poland | |
| Pieczka et al. (2009) +1 other reference |
| Kozłowski et al. (2016) |
| Kozłowski et al. (2018) |
| Kozłowski et al. (2018) |
Portugal | |
| Alves (2016) |
| Alves (n.d.) |
Russia | |
| Kasatkin et al. (2022) |
| [World of Stones 95:5-6 |
Spain | |
| Rewitzer et al. (2018) |
| CARMONA RUIZ et al. (2025) |
| Schnorrer (2000) |
| Calvo Rebollar (2012) |
| Foro FMF ... |
| Joan Rosell - Joan Astor |
| Castillo-Oliver et al. (2019) |
Sweden | |
| Aksel Osterlof specimen +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| Meisser (1997) +1 other reference |
| Meisser (1997) +1 other reference |
| Roth et al. (2025) |
| Meisser (1997) +1 other reference |
| Ansermet (2012) |
| Meisser (2012) |
Tajikistan | |
| Mineralogical Society of America - ... |
| Novgorodova et al. (1991) +1 other reference | |
Thailand | |
| Patrice Queneau Collection First ... |
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. |
| Thorne (n.d.) | |
| Foord (1977) |
| Fisher (2002) |
| Dunning et al. (1998) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Mineralogical Magazine (1996) |
| Eckel et al. (1997) |
| Dunning et al. (1998) | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +1 other reference | |
| Palache et al. (1951) +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 |
| DeMark (1989) | |
| undefined |
| Jahns et al. (1977) +1 other reference |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... |
| Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
| Miyawaki et al. (2019) +1 other reference |
| Coolbaugh et al. (2020) | |
| 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