Byrudite is an exceptionally rare beryllium niobium phosphate mineral discovered in the historic Byrud emerald mines of Norway. It typically occurs as small colorless to grayish tabular crystals associated with pegmatite minerals and is primarily sought by advanced mineral collectors and those interested in rare-earth species.
Is this byrudite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch byrudite with a known reference. Byrudite sits at Mohs 5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Byrudite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Byrudite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, granular.
Often confused with
Byrudite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside byrudite
Minerals reported to co-occur with byrudite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Be₄Nb(PO₄)₃O
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 3.36 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Granular
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $100-500+ depending on rarity and specimen size
Where rockhounds find byrudite
Classic worldwide localities
- Byrud Emerald Mine, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where byrudite typically forms. If you start seeing beryl, quartz, feldspar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find byrudite on the map
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