Hambergite is a beryllium borate mineral typically found as elongated, prismatic or bladed crystals in complex granite pegmatites. It is sought after by collectors for its high hardness and brilliant luster, though it is often brittle due to perfect cleavage. Fine transparent specimens are highly valued by gem enthusiasts.

Hardness

7.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Transparent to translucent

mineraluncommon

Hambergite

Hardness: 7.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Transparent to translucent

Is this hambergite?

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 hambergite with a known reference. Hambergite sits at Mohs 7.5, 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.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: colorless, gray white, yellowish white, white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.

Often confused with

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

Often found alongside hambergite

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

All properties

Chemical formula: Be₂BO₃(OH)
Mohs hardness: 7.5
Density: 2.347-2.372 g/cm³
Colors: Colorless Gray white Yellowish white White
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Prismatic crystals
Cleavage: On {010}, perfect; on {100}, good
Rarity: Uncommon
Uses: Collector, Gemstone
Host rock: An uncommon accessory mineral in granite pegmatites

Where rockhounds find hambergite

Classic worldwide localities

Little Three mine, near Ramona, and the Himalaya mine, Mesa Grande district, San Diego Co., and in the Jensen quarry, Riverside Co., California, USA
Zapot pegmatite, 25 km northeast of Hawthorne, Mineral Co., Nevada, USA
Animikie Red Ace pegmatite, near Pine River, Florence Co., Wisconsin, USA
Helgeroa, Langesundsfjord, Norway
Ctidružice, Czech Republic
Recice, Czech Republic

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: An uncommon accessory mineral in granite pegmatites. If you start seeing beryl, danburite, apatite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify hambergite?+

Mohs hardness is 7.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include colorless, gray white, yellowish white, white.

Where is hambergite found?+

Notable localities include Little Three mine, near Ramona, and the Himalaya mine, Mesa Grande district, San Diego Co., and in the Jensen quarry, Riverside Co., California, USA; Zapot pegmatite, 25 km northeast of Hawthorne, Mineral Co., Nevada, USA; Animikie Red Ace pegmatite, near Pine River, Florence Co., Wisconsin, USA; Helgeroa, Langesundsfjord, Norway; Ctidružice, Czech Republic.

Is hambergite safe to handle?+

Hambergite contains beryllium. Wash your hands afterwards, never grind or breathe the dust, and store it apart from specimens you handle often.

What rocks look like hambergite?+

Hambergite is most often confused with Danburite, Topaz, Quartz. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with hambergite?+

Hambergite commonly co-occurs with Beryl, Danburite, Apatite, Spodumene, Zircon, Fluorite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does hambergite form in?+

Where it forms: An uncommon accessory mineral in granite pegmatites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is hambergite used for?+

Hambergite is used in collector, gemstone.

Find hambergite on the map

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