Barberiite (Picture size 1 mm) Fundort: Vulcano, Lipari Islands, Italy. Colourless tabular crystals of barberiite. Collection and foto Thomas Witzke. — Photo: Thomas Witzke · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Barberiite
Barberiite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the organic mineral class, with the chemical formula (NH₄)BF₄.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pnma). It is a member of the Baryte structural group.
Key properties: specific gravity 1.89; White streak; Vitreous luster.
IMA symbol Bbi, IMA status: approved, named in 1993.
Formed by fumarolic activity, stable at ground temperatures between 200 ° C and 600 ° C.
It is found associated with Malladrite, realgar, bismuthinite, cannizzarite, galenobismuthite, sphalerite, sulfur, sal ammoniac, sassolite.
The mineral was named to honor Franco Barberi, Professor of Vulcanology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy, who promoted studies of Vulcano.