Bityite is a rare lithium-bearing mica species that typically forms as small, pseudohexagonal tabular crystals. It is most commonly found in complex lithium-rich pegmatites and is often associated with other beryllium and lithium minerals.

Hardness

3.5-4

Mohs

Luster

Pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent

mineralrareMica Group family

Bityite

Hardness: 3.5-4
Luster: Pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent

Is this bityite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch bityite with a known reference. Bityite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Bityite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Bityite typically shows a pearly luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, yellow, colorless, brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: pseudohexagonal tabular crystals.

Often confused with

Bityite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside bityite

Minerals reported to co-occur with bityite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CaLiAl₂(AlBeSi₂)O₁₀(OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 3.5-4
Density: 3.0-3.1 g/cm³
Colors: White Yellow Colorless Brown
Streak: White
Luster: Pearly
Transparency: Transparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Pseudohexagonal Tabular Crystals
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Research
Host rock: Lithium-rich Pegmatites
Typical price: $20-150 for micromounts and small specimens

Where rockhounds find bityite

2 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

Sahatany Valley, Madagascar
Londonderry, Australia
Barra de Salinas, Brazil
Franklin, New Jersey, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in lithium-rich pegmatites country — that is the host setting where bityite typically forms. If you start seeing tourmaline, danburite, quartz in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a pseudohexagonal tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in New Mexico — start trip planning there.

Browse 2 U.S. spots for bityite →

Common questions

How do you identify bityite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5-4. It typically shows a pearly luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, yellow, colorless, brown.

Where is bityite found?+

Notable localities include Sahatany Valley, Madagascar; Londonderry, Australia; Barra de Salinas, Brazil; Franklin, New Jersey, USA.

Can I find bityite in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 2 bityite rockhounding spots across 1 U.S. states — the top states are New Mexico.

How much is bityite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $20-150 for micromounts and small specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like bityite?+

Bityite is most often confused with Margarite, Muscovite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with bityite?+

Bityite commonly co-occurs with Tourmaline, Danburite, Quartz, Feldspar, Beryl. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does bityite form in?+

Bityite typically forms in lithium-rich pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is bityite used for?+

Bityite is used in collector, research.

Find bityite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.