Babefphite
A variety of Minerals
What is Babefphite?
Babefphite is a rare phosphate mineral with the general formula BaBe(PO4)(F,OH). The name is given for its composition (Ba meaning barium, Be meaning beryllium, F meaning fluorine, and P for phosphorus).
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Babefphite before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Babefphite Localities Map
See where Babefphite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
Key Characteristics
Characteristics of Babefphite
Babefphite is an anisotropic mineral meaning that the velocity of light passing through it will vary depending on the direction of travel. When measured against Canada Balsam it will display moderate positive relief. Relief is an optical property that relates the index of refraction of a mineral versus the index of refraction of another material. Positive relief denotes light being bent toward the mineral. Negative relief means the light is bent toward the mounting material. In the case of optical mineralogy, this other material is most often whatever material is used to mount the mineral in question in thin section. Based on the white color of babefphite in hand sample it is likely that it appears clear in thin section under plane polarized light. Due to its anisotropic nature, it has the possibility of displaying very weak pleochroism under the same conditions. Pleochroism is defined as a change of color, on rotation, of plane light. It occurs when the extraordinary and ordinary rays of light are absorbed differently, thereby displaying different colors. The wider the difference in the rays the more dramatic the color change. Babefphite is also weakly birefringent. Birefringence is an optical property that is determined by the direction that light passes through a mineral.
Formation of Babefphite
Babefphite was first described in 1966 for an occurrence at the Aunik fluorite-rare metals deposit, Buryatia, Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia. It has also been reported from the Rožná pegmatite in the Vysočina Region, Moravia, Czech Republic. In the Siberian occurrence it occurs in residual material above rare-earth metal bearing skarns associated with alkaline intrusive bodies. It occurs with zircon, ilmenorutile, fluorite, phenakite, scheelite, bertrandite, albite, microcline and quartz.
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- White
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3.5
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- BaBePO4(F,OH)
- Elements
- Ba, Be, F, O, P
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Babefphite FAQs
How do I identify Babefphite?
Babefphite can be identified by its hardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale, White color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Babefphite?
Babefphite typically appears in White. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Babefphite?
Babefphite has a hardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.
What is the characteristics of babefphite of Babefphite?
Babefphite is an anisotropic mineral meaning that the velocity of light passing through it will vary depending on the direction of travel. When measured against Canada Balsam it will display moderate positive relief. Relief is an optical property that relates the index of refraction of a mineral versus the index of refraction of another material. Positive relief denotes light being bent toward the mineral. Negative relief means the light is bent toward the mounting material. In the case of optical mineralogy, this other material is most often whatever material is used to mount the mineral in question in thin section. Based on the white color of babefphite in hand sample it is likely that it appears clear in thin section under plane polarized light. Due to its anisotropic nature, it has the possibility of displaying very weak pleochroism under the same conditions. Pleochroism is defined as a change of color, on rotation, of plane light. It occurs when the extraordinary and ordinary rays of light are absorbed differently, thereby displaying different colors. The wider the difference in the rays the more dramatic the color change. Babefphite is also weakly birefringent. Birefringence is an optical property that is determined by the direction that light passes through a mineral.
What is the formation of babefphite of Babefphite?
Babefphite was first described in 1966 for an occurrence at the Aunik fluorite-rare metals deposit, Buryatia, Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia. It has also been reported from the Rožná pegmatite in the Vysočina Region, Moravia, Czech Republic. In the Siberian occurrence it occurs in residual material above rare-earth metal bearing skarns associated with alkaline intrusive bodies. It occurs with zircon, ilmenorutile, fluorite, phenakite, scheelite, bertrandite, albite, microcline and quartz.
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