Hambergite - Encyclopedia

    Class : Carbonates, nitrates, borates
    Subclass : Borates
    Crystal system : Orthorhombic
    Chemistry : Be₂BO₃(OH)
    Rarity : Rare to very rare

Hambergite is a beryllium borate of alkaline and syenitic pegmatites as well as the eluvia derived from them. It is mainly associated with spodumene, beryl and danburite. It was named in honor of the Swedish mineralogist and geographer Axel Hamberg who first became interested in this mineral. Hambergite most often occurs in large, flattened and striated prismatic crystals with generally dull and corroded terminal faces, evolving into transparent and sharp blades. The luster is glassy, pearly on the cleavage. Its color is colorless, white, grayish to yellowish, sometimes pinkish. It is a mineral sometimes cut and used in jewelry.

Main photo : Hambergite from Tamponilapa, Sahatany Valley, Ibity, Madagascar © Matteo Chinellato

Twins are known on {110}. Some specimens from Tajikistan can be reticulated and look exactly like cerussite.

No fakes recorded for this mineral species.