Beraunite
A variety of Minerals
What is Beraunite?
Beraunite is an iron phosphate mineral. It was first described by August Breithaupt for an occurrence in Beraun currently in the Czech Republic. Beraunite occurs as a secondary mineral in iron ore deposits, and as an alteration product of primary phosphate minerals in granite pegmatites. Beraunite crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system with point group 2/m. Beraunite’s formula is Fe Fe5(OH)5(PO4)4·4H2O. Aluminium and zinc may substitute in the structure.
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Beraunite 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.
Beraunite Localities Map
See where Beraunite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
Key Characteristics
Formation of Beraunite
Beraunite occurs as a secondary mineral in iron ore deposits and as an alteration product of primary phosphates minerals in granite pegmatites. It is found as an alteration product of triohylite at the Big Chief and Hesnard mines, Keystone, Pennington County, South Dakota, New Hampshire. Also, it is found in Arkansas, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the United States. In addition to those places, it is found in Ireland, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
Composition of Beraunite
It occurs as fibrous greenish-black to brown nodules. The chemical analysis of beraunite often show small and irrational amounts of ferrous iron. The chain segments in Beraunite are one and two octahedral in length. Beraunite has two different types which are Zn-rich and Al-rich Beraunites, those two types have variations in data between those taken by Krsano in the X-ray powder diffraction experiment and those in the literature. Phosphate minerals have special characteristics about their chemical composition. The polyatomic complex of iron-oxygen octahedral face is sharing triplets corner to four other octahedral in the arrangement of atoms of the basic iron phosphates like dufrenite, rockbridgeite, and Beraunite. This complex is linked together by the phosphate tetrahedra.
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Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Dark greenish-brown, green, grading to gray
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3 - 4
- Density
- 2.894 g/cm³
- Streak
- Olive drab (unoxidized)
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Fe2+Fe3+5(PO4)4(OH)5 · 6H2O
- Elements
- Fe, H, O, P
Also Known As
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Beraunite FAQs
How do I identify Beraunite?
Beraunite can be identified by its hardness of 3 - 4 on the Mohs scale, Dark greenish-brown color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Beraunite?
Beraunite typically appears in Dark greenish-brown, green, grading to gray. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Beraunite?
Beraunite has a hardness of 3 - 4 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a soft mineral that can be scratched easily.
What is the formation of beraunite of Beraunite?
Beraunite occurs as a secondary mineral in iron ore deposits and as an alteration product of primary phosphates minerals in granite pegmatites. It is found as an alteration product of triohylite at the Big Chief and Hesnard mines, Keystone, Pennington County, South Dakota, New Hampshire. Also, it is found in Arkansas, New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the United States. In addition to those places, it is found in Ireland, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
What is the composition of beraunite of Beraunite?
It occurs as fibrous greenish-black to brown nodules. The chemical analysis of beraunite often show small and irrational amounts of ferrous iron. The chain segments in Beraunite are one and two octahedral in length. Beraunite has two different types which are Zn-rich and Al-rich Beraunites, those two types have variations in data between those taken by Krsano in the X-ray powder diffraction experiment and those in the literature. Phosphate minerals have special characteristics about their chemical composition. The polyatomic complex of iron-oxygen octahedral face is sharing triplets corner to four other octahedral in the arrangement of atoms of the basic iron phosphates like dufrenite, rockbridgeite, and Beraunite. This complex is linked together by the phosphate tetrahedra.
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