Bromellite 2723764 140565885 2007-06-25T17:57:32Z 68.123.4.230 /* Uses of bromellite */ {{Infobox mineral | name = Bromellite | category = | boxwidth = | boxbgcolor = | image = | caption = | formula = {{beryllium}}{{oxygen}}<br> (beryllium oxide) | molweight = | color = White, colorless | habit = prismatic | system = Hexagonal | twinning = | cleavage = [1010] Distinct | fracture = | mohs = 9 | luster = Vitreous | refractive = 1.719, 1.733 | opticalprop = | birefringence = | pleochroism = None | streak = White | gravity = 3.02 | melt = 2570°C | fusibility = | diagnostic = | solubility = | diaphaneity = Transparent to translucent | other = }} '''Bromellite''', whose name derives from the Swedish chemist [[Magnus von Bromell]] (1670-1731), is a white [[oxide]] [[mineral]], found in complex [[pegmatite|pegmatitic]] [[manganese]]-[[iron]] deposits, but is more frequently made synthetically. This is a rare mineral to encounter in its natural state, but it has been made synthetically for over 40 years. ==Uses of bromellite== Bromellite, as a [[beryllium]]-containing mineral, has some uses. Industrially, natural specimens have the potential to be an ore of [[beryllium]]. It is one of the [[reagent]]s that can be used in the manufacture of artificial [[emerald]]s. As an additive, bromellite confers high mechanical strength and very high [[thermal conductivity]]. In [[nuclear reactor]]s, it is used as a [[neutron moderator|moderator]] for fast [[neutron]]s. [[Ceramic]]s containing bromellite are used in [[electronics]], as well as [[crucible]]s for the melting of [[uranium]] and [[thorium]]. Bromellite, both natural and synthetic, is also used as a [[gemstone]] or as a collector's mineral. As a [[gemstone]] bromellite is extremely rare. To date there has been found only one crystal that is large enough to be cut. In 2000 Dunil Palitha Gunasekara of Ratnapura, Sri Lanka purchased a rough colorless 17.77-ct crystal from Ratnapura. He cut it into 15 pieces, of which 3 pieces with 2.80, 1.92 and 0.68 ct were sent to the GIA laboratory for further testing since he thought them to be [[Johachiodolite]] at first. These gemstones are the first reported examples of faceted gem-quality Bromellite. ==References== *R.V. Gaines et al, Dana's New Mineralogy, 8th edition, John Wiley & Sons, NY, 1997, p 211. *SFM and Sam Muhlmeister, Gems & Gemology, Volume 38, No 3, Fall 2002, pp 250-251. *[http://www.webmineral.com/data/Bromellite.shtml WebMineral Listing] *[http://www.mindat.org/min-784.html MinDat Listing] *[http://www.maden.hacettepe.edu.tr/dmmrt/index Dictionary of Mining, Mineral, and Related Terms] *[http://www.sinhalite.com/bromellite.htm Gemmologist Murray Burford] [[Category:Beryllium minerals]] [[Category:Oxides]] [[it:Bromellite]] [[uk:Бромеліт]]