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Buergerite Crystals on Matrix
SILICATES; CYCLOSILICATES; TOURMALINE GROUP · HEXAGONAL

Buergerite

NaFe2+3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18O3F

Hardness
7–7.5
Streak
White
Spec. Gravity
3.3
System
Hexagonal

About

Buergerite is a rare member of the Tourmaline group. It was first discovered in 1966, and its locality was subsequently forgotten until the noted Mexican mineral collector Dr. Miguel Romero hired two exploration geologists to search and find the deposit. Subsequent finds have yielded very little material, and good specimens of this rare form of Tourmaline remain difficult to obtain. Buergerite is named in honor of Martin J. Buerger (1903-1986), a prominent mineralogist and professor of mineralogy at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Crystal Forms & Aggregates

Crystals are usually three sided prisms, and are usually short and stubby, though elongated crystals exist as well. Terminations can be both simple and complex, and growth layers are often present. Occurs in columnar aggregates and as dense agglomerated prisms.

Striking Features

Crystal habits, color, and locality.

Environment

Uses

Buergerite, being a very rare form of Tourmaline, is an expensive and cherished collectors mineral.

Noteworthy Localities

The type locality of this mineral where all collectible specimens have come from is Mexquitic, in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. The chemical makeup of Buergerite suggests that it should be more globally distributed, and although subsequent localities have since been discovered, they have not produced any collectible specimens of interest.

Common Mineral Associations

Distinguishing Similar Minerals

Photos

Crystal forms

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Prismatic with Pyramidal Termination