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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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