Clinobehoite is a rare beryllium hydroxide mineral primarily found in alkaline igneous environments. It typically forms as small, tabular, colorless to white crystals or delicate radiating clusters that require magnification for detailed study.

Hardness

2-3

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous, pearly

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent in thin plates

mineralrare

Clinobehoite

Hardness: 2-3
Luster: Vitreous, pearly
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent in thin plates

Is this clinobehoite?

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 clinobehoite with a known reference. Clinobehoite sits at Mohs 2-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, pearly.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating aggregates.

Often confused with

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

How to tell apart: Bromellite is the harder of the two (Mohs ~9 vs. 2-3).

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Often found alongside clinobehoite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Be(OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 2-3
Density: 1.93 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous, pearly
Transparency: Transparent in thin plates
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Tabular crystals, radiating aggregates
Cleavage: Perfect on {100}; imperfect on {010} and {001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In hydrothermally altered zones in desilicated pegmatites

Where rockhounds find clinobehoite

Classic worldwide localities

Malyshev deposit, Asbest district, near Yekaterinburg (Sverdlovsk), Ural Mountains, Russia

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In hydrothermally altered zones in desilicated pegmatites. If you start seeing bavenite, bityite, phillipsite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, radiating aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify clinobehoite?+

Mohs hardness is 2-3. Luster: vitreous, pearly. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, white.

Where is clinobehoite found?+

Notable localities include Malyshev deposit, Asbest district, near Yekaterinburg (Sverdlovsk), Ural Mountains, Russia.

Is clinobehoite safe to handle?+

Clinobehoite contains beryllium. Contains beryllium, which is highly toxic if inhaled as dust or ingested. Handle specimens with care, avoid creating dust, and wash hands thoroughly after handling.

What rocks look like clinobehoite?+

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

What minerals are found with clinobehoite?+

Clinobehoite commonly co-occurs with Bavenite, Bityite, Phillipsite, Analcime, Albite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does clinobehoite form in?+

Where it forms: In hydrothermally altered zones in desilicated pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is clinobehoite used for?+

Clinobehoite is used in collector.

Find clinobehoite on the map

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