Sphaerobertrandite is an exceptionally rare beryllium silicate mineral that typically forms distinct spherical or radial fibrous aggregates. It is structurally related to bertrandite and is primarily found in complex beryllium-rich pegmatite environments.
Is this sphaerobertrandite?
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 sphaerobertrandite with a known reference. Sphaerobertrandite 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. Sphaerobertrandite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sphaerobertrandite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: spherical aggregates, radial fibers.
Often confused with
Sphaerobertrandite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside sphaerobertrandite
Minerals reported to co-occur with sphaerobertrandite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Be₄Si₂O₇(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 6
- Density
- 2.71 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Spherical Aggregates, Radial Fibers
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Pegmatites, Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find sphaerobertrandite
Classic worldwide localities
- Malyshevskoye deposit, Russia
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in pegmatites, hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where sphaerobertrandite typically forms. If you start seeing bertrandite, beryl, phenakite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a spherical aggregates, radial fibers habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify sphaerobertrandite?+
Where is sphaerobertrandite found?+
How much is sphaerobertrandite worth?+
What rocks look like sphaerobertrandite?+
What minerals are found with sphaerobertrandite?+
What kind of rock does sphaerobertrandite form in?+
What is sphaerobertrandite used for?+
Find sphaerobertrandite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
