Bityite

bityite

tourmaline

beryl

lepidolite

Formula: CaLiAl₂(Si₂BeAl)O₁₀(OH)₂
Phyllosilicate (sheet silicate), lithium- and beryllium- bearing mineral, brittle mica group
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 3.05 measured, 3.14 calculated
Hardness: 5½
Streak: White
Colour: White, yellowish, colourless, brownish
Solubility: Insoluble in acids; easily fusible (Dana).
Common impurities: Fe,Mg,Na,K
Environments:

Pegmatites

Bityite is a mineral containing both lithium and beryllium that occurs sparingly as late-stage crystal crusts in lithium pegmatite veins (Webmin, Dana, HOM).

At Londonderry, Western Australia bityite is associated with with tourmaline, albite, beryl, bavenite, columbite and cassiterite (Dana, HOM).

At the type locality, Maharitra, Ibity, Vakinankaratra, Madagascar, bityite is a late stage mineral in a granite pegmatite (Mindat). Associated minerals include pink tourmaline, quartz, lepidolite and albite (Dana, Mindat, HOM).

At the Strickland quarry, Connecticut, USA, bityite is associated with calcite and albite (HOM).

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