Friedrichbeckeite is a very rare beryllium-rich silicate mineral belonging to the milarite group. It typically occurs as small, transparent hexagonal prisms in granitic pegmatites and is primarily sought after by advanced mineral collectors due to its extreme rarity and limited locality occurrences.
Is this friedrichbeckeite?
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 friedrichbeckeite with a known reference. Friedrichbeckeite sits at Mohs 6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Friedrichbeckeite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Friedrichbeckeite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Friedrichbeckeite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside friedrichbeckeite
Minerals reported to co-occur with friedrichbeckeite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- K(Mg,Mn)₂Be₃(Si₁₂O₃₀)
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 2.63 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find friedrichbeckeite
Classic worldwide localities
- Friedrich-Becke deposit, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country — that is the host setting where friedrichbeckeite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, albite, orthoclase in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find friedrichbeckeite on the map
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