Mineralpedia Details for Bityite
Bityite
- Formula
- CaLiAl2(Si2BeAl)O10(OH)2
- Crystal System
- Monoclinic
- Crystal Habit
- Encrustations, Platy, Pseudo Hexagonal
- Cleavage
- Perfect, None, None
- Luster
- Vitreous (Glassy)
- Color
- brown white, colorless, yellow, pearl white
- Streak
- white
- Class
- Monoclinic - Prismatic
- Hardness
- 5.5
- WebMineral
- View Bityite
- Mindat
- View Bityite
Bityite from Maharitra, Sahatany Pegmatite Field, Mt Ibity area, Antananarivo, Madagascar
This is actually a very good specimen showing colorless or creamy, thick hexagonal plates.
One of a handful of lithium micas and the only one with essential beryllium. More information about micas can be found in this article: Micas and other Phyllosilicates. It is chiefly a pegmatite mineral.
Click thumbnail images for larger view.
