Chemical Properties
Transparent, colorless to pale-yellow, beryllium silicate with orthorhombic crystals.
Physical properties
Habit: well formed prismatic or tabullar hexagonal crystals, with pinacoidal {1010},
{0001}, or prism {1120} or pyramidal terminations.
Luster: vitreous (i.e., glassy).
Diaphaneity: translucent to transparent.
Color: colorless or pale yellow.
Streak: white.
Cleavage: [001] perfect, [110] distinct, [101] distinct.
Fracture: brittle.
Occurrence: commonly found in Be-bearing pegmatites and may be derived from the
alteration of beryl.
Industrial uses
Beryllia, and beryllium chemicals
Safety Profile
Confirmed carcinogen. Whenheated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of BeO.
