Bazzite

Blue mineral
(repeating unit)Be3Sc2Si6O18IMA symbolBz[1]Strunz classification9.CJ.05Crystal systemHexagonalCrystal classDihexagonal dipyramidal (6/mmm)
H-M symbol: (6/m 2/m 2/m)Space groupP6/mccUnit cella = 9.521 Å, c = 9.165 Å; Z = 2IdentificationColorLight to dark sky-blue, blue greenCrystal habitAggregates of subparallel prismsCleavageIndistinct on {0001}FractureIrregularTenacityBrittleMohs scale hardness6.5–7LusterVitreousStreakPale bluish whiteDiaphaneitySemitransparentSpecific gravity2.77–2.85Optical propertiesUniaxial (−)Refractive indexnω = 1.622–1.637 nε = 1.602–1.622Birefringence0.0210PleochroismO = pale greenish yellow; E = intense sky-blueReferences[2][3][4][5]

Bazzite is a beryllium scandium cyclosilicate mineral with chemical formula Be3Sc2Si6O18[3] (Be3(Sc,Fe)2Si6O18[4] or Be3(Sc,Al)2Si6O18[5]). It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system typically as small blue hexagonal crystals up to 2 cm length. It has a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7 and a specific gravity of 2.77 to 2.85.

It is hard to distinguish from blue beryl.

Occurs in miarolitic cavities in granite, in alpine veins and in scandium bearing granitic pegmatites. It occurs associated with quartz, orthoclase, muscovite, laumontite, albite, hematite, calcite, chlorite, fluorite, beryl and bavenite.[4]

It was first described from an occurrence in Baveno, Italy. Named after the discoverer, the Italian engineer Alessandro E. Bazzi.[4]

References

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ Mineralienatlas
  3. ^ a b Mindat with location data
  4. ^ a b c d "Handbook of Mineralogy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-10-19. Retrieved 2013-01-07.
  5. ^ a b Webmineral data


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