Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Paprok, Kamdesh, Afghanistan
SIZE : 20 x 15 x 10 cm

This sample of beryllonite, acquired thanks to support from Total, was found in the area of Paprok in Afghanistan. The crystals are white-sheen. On the top of the crystal, one clearly sees what are probably dissolution figures; the latter show entirely gemmeous areas.

This beryllonite is associated to crystals of microcline and lepidolite. This sample is kept today in the storage rooms of the collections of Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Beryllonite

HISTORY : Name given after beryllium, first discovered in this mineral

Species first described in 1888 by Edward Salisbury Dana (1849-1935), american.geologist and mineralogist. The first sample was discovered in 1886 by Sumner Andrews

Type-locality : Mont Mac Kean, Stoneham, comté d’Oxford, Maine, USA

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Na Be (PO4)
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Monoclinic
COLOR : Colorless, white, pale yellow
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous to pearly
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Small prismatic crystals, fibrous aggregates and massive
HARDNESS : 5,5-6,0
DENSITY : 2,805

CHEMICAL CLASS : VII - Phosphates, arsenat
GROUP : Berlinite - Béryllonite - Hurlbutite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 7/A.01-30
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 8.AA.10

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Beryllonite

Beryllonite

MNHN N°206.103

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