Byrudite is a rare beryllium vanadium titanium oxide, typically black. It is a primary magmatic phase in emerald-bearing, syenitic pegmatite. Associated minerals include quartz, microcline and beryl. It was first described from Byrud farm, near Minnesund, Eidsvoll municipality, Akershus County, South Norway.
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 ~7, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 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.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Byrudite leaves black, Beryl leaves white; luster reads metallic on Byrudite and vitreous, resinous on Beryl.
How to tell apart: Byrudite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~7 vs. 5); streak differs, so Byrudite leaves black, Apatite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Byrudite and vitreous on Apatite.
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
- BeV³⁺₂TiO₆
- Mohs hardness
- ~7
- Density
- 4.29 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A primary magmatic phase in emerald-bearing, syenitic pegmatite
Where rockhounds find byrudite
Classic worldwide localities
- Byrud farm, near Minnesund, Eidsvoll municipality, Akershus County, South Norway
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A primary magmatic phase in emerald-bearing, syenitic pegmatite. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, beryl in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, granular. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify byrudite?+
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Find byrudite on the map
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