Byrudite is a rare beryllium vanadium titanium oxide, typically black. It is a primary magmatic phase in emerald-bearing, syenitic pegmatite. Associated minerals include quartz, microcline and beryl. It was first described from Byrud farm, near Minnesund, Eidsvoll municipality, Akershus County, South Norway.
Is this byrudite?
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 byrudite with a known reference. Byrudite sits at Mohs 5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Byrudite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Byrudite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, granular.
Often confused with
Byrudite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Beryl is the harder of the two (Mohs 7.5-8 vs. 5.5); streak differs, so Byrudite leaves black, Beryl leaves white; luster reads metallic on Byrudite and vitreous on Beryl.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Byrudite leaves black, Apatite leaves white; luster reads metallic on Byrudite and vitreous on Apatite.
Often found alongside byrudite
Minerals reported to co-occur with byrudite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BeV³⁺₂TiO₆
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5
- Density
- 4.29 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Granular
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Granite Pegmatites
Where rockhounds find byrudite
Classic worldwide localities
- Byrud Emerald Mine, Norway
Field-hunting tip
Look in granite pegmatites country, the host setting where byrudite typically forms. If you start seeing beryl, quartz, feldspar in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find byrudite on the map
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