Mineralpedia Details for Helvite
Helvite
Named for the Latin word helvus, which means “amber,” in reference to the mineral’s color, which is typically a golden-yellow. Helvite is an uncommon mineral that occurs in skarn, contact zones, gneiss, granite pegmatites, and granites. Localities for Helvite include in Germany, Sweden, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Finland, the United States, Japan, and other localities. Helvite is pyroelectric and will generate a charge in response to heat application.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/helvine.pdf
- Formula
- Mn4Be3(SiO4)3S
- Crystal System
- Isometric
- Crystal Habit
- Massive
- Cleavage
- Indistinct, Indistinct, Indistinct
- Luster
- Vitreous - Resinous
- Color
- brown, brownish yellow, gray, yellow, yellow green
- Streak
- grayish white
- Class
- Isometric - Hextetrahedral
- Fracture
- Brittle
- Hardness
- 6-6.5
- WebMineral
- View Helvite
- Mindat
- View Helvite
Helvite from Victoria district, Gage, New Mexico, United States
Yellowish-brown tetrahedrons to 3mm.
Helvite from Wushan Spessartine mine, Tongbei, Zhangzhou, Fujian, China
Orange crystal to 1.3cm across.
Helvite from Navegador mine, Conselheiro Pena, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Light green tetrahedrons to 9mm.
Helvite from Butte dist., Silver Bow Co., Montana, United States
- Special Info
- Phillips Collection
Helvite according to Jenkins & Lorengo (Min. Record v. 33, n. 1 2002) is a rare mineral at Butte and was found in a single specimen from the Lexington mine. This specimen contains a single lemon yellow anhedral crystal grain in Rhodonite matrix.
