Liberite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Liberite
Formula:
Li2BeSiO4
Colour:
Pale yellow to brown
Lustre:
Vitreous, Greasy
Hardness:
7
Specific Gravity:
2.6875 - 2.6885
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1964 by Chao for the component elements: lithium and beryllium.
Known as a synthetic compound.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2393
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2393:7
Similar Names
| Biberite | A synonym of Bieberite | |
| Iberite (of Schlegelmilch) | ||
| Iberite (of Svanberg) | A synonym of 'Gigantolite' | |
| Luberoite | A valid IMA mineral species | Pt5Se4 |
| Siberite | A variety of Elbaite | Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
IMA Classification of Liberite
Approved
Classification of Liberite
9.AA.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
A : Nesosilicates without additional anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] coordination
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
A : Nesosilicates
A : Nesosilicates without additional anions; cations in tetrahedral [4] coordination
Dana 7th ed.:
51.1.2.1
51.1.2.1
51 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
1 : Insular SiO4 Groups Only with cations in [4] coordination
51 : NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
1 : Insular SiO4 Groups Only with cations in [4] coordination
14.3.4
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
3 : Silicates of Be
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
3 : Silicates of Be
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Lbr | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Liberite
Vitreous, Greasy
Colour:
Pale yellow to brown
Hardness:
7 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Perfect on {010}, distinct on {100} and {001}
Perfect on {010}, distinct on {100} and {001}
Density:
2.6875 - 2.6885 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.69 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Liberite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.622 nβ = 1.6332 nγ = 1.638
2V:
Measured: 66° , Calculated: 66° to 66.3°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.016
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
r > v to r < v strong
Comments:
Z^c(a in structure cell)=41 degrees
Chemistry of Liberite
Mindat Formula:
Li2BeSiO4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Al,Fe,Mg,Ca,Na,K,H2O
Crystallography of Liberite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
m - Domatic
Space Group:
Pm
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.68 Å, b = 4.95 Å, c = 6.13 Å
β = 90.5°
β = 90.5°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.945 : 1 : 1.238
Unit Cell V:
142.00 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Minute aggregates occasionally display pinnacoidal faces.
Comment:
Pseudo-orthorhombic.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014174 | Liberite | Han-ching C (1966) The crystal structure of liberite Kexue Tongbao 17 425-428 | 1966 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.82 Å | (100) |
| 3.71 Å | (100) |
| 3.40 Å | (70) |
| 2.59 Å | (100) |
| 2.47 Å | (90) |
| 2.35 Å | (90) |
| 2.27 Å | (90) |
| 2.19 Å | (70) |
Locality:
Comments:
Made on synthetic material
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-𝑇 subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) | |
| Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
| 34 : Complex granite pegmatites |
Type Occurrence of Liberite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts; National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In veins cutting lepidolite-fluorite-magnetite "ribbon rock" in tactite
Other Language Names for Liberite
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 5 photos of Liberite associated with Hsianghualite | Ca3Li2(Be3Si3O12)F2 |
| 3 photos of Liberite associated with Bromellite | BeO |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.AA.05 | Phenakite | Be2SiO4 |
| 9.AA.05 | Eucryptite | LiAlSiO4 |
| 9.AA.05 | Willemite | Zn2SiO4 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Liberite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2393.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Liberite
Localities for Liberite
Showing 3 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
China | |
| Li et al. (2023) |
| Chao Ch'un-lin (1964) |
Poland | |
| Pieczka et al. (2012) |
Quick NavTopAbout LiberiteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Xianghualing Sn Mine, Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu Co., Chenzhou, Hunan, China