Very nice white crystals of the rare mineral of simple chemistry behoite (Be(OH)2) from a Norwegian locality: A/S Granit Quarry, Tuften, Tvedalen, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Behoite
Behoite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the oxides & hydroxide class, with the chemical formula Be(OH)₂.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group P2_12_12_1). It is a member of the Cristobalite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4; specific gravity 1.92; Vitreous; greasy to dull luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Beh, IMA status: approved, named in 1969.
Found in granite pegmatite as a near-surface alteration product of gadolinite (Rode Ranch pegmatite, Texas, USA); in altered volcanic tuff (Honeycomb Hills, Utah, USA).
It is found associated with Gadolinite, bastnäsite, tengerite, quartz, albite, microcline, montmorillonite, fluorite, calcite (Rode Ranch pegmatite, Texas, USA).
The name refers to beryllium, Be, and hydroxyl, OH, in its composition.