Berborite

berborite

hambergite

vesuvianite

helvite

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Formula: Be2(BO3)(OH).H2O
Hydrated borate containing hydroxyl, beryllium-bearing mineral
Crystal System: Trigonal
Specific gravity: 2.200 measured, 2.04 calculated
Hardness: 3
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless
Solubility: Not dissolved by hydrochloric or nitric acid. Dissolved by HF and concentrated sulphuric acid when heated
Environments

Pegmatites
Metamorphic environments

Berborite occurs in skarn arising from contact metamorphism (Mindat).

Localities

At the Saga quarry, Tvedalen, Larvik, Vestfold og Telemark, Norway, berborite occurs in vugs associated with with natrolite and thomsonite (HOM).

At Brønnebukta, Siktesøya, Langesundsfjorden, Porsgrunn, Vestfold og Telemark, Norway, berborite occurs in nepheline syenite pegmatites (Dana).

At the type locality, the Lupikko Mine, Pitkyarantsky District, Republic of Karelia, Russia, berborite occurs in serpentinised dolostone associated with tungsten-strontium-boron-beryllium bearing skarn (Webmin).
The berborite was found in dumps of old workings associated with hambergite, magnetite, vesuvianite, sphalerite, fluorite, helvine and apatite. In part it occurs as plates on films on magnetite and in fluorite and sphalerite, and in cavities in fluorite. Intergrowths with and overgrowths on hambergite were found. Goethite and smithsonite formed on surfaces of berborite (AM 53.348-349).

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