BETAFITE
Specimen btf-1

Dims: 1.2 x 1.2 x 1.0" (3.0 x 3.0 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 1.46 oz. (41.5 g) w/ base

Silver Crater Mine, Bancroft, Ontario, Canada

This small specimen consists of 3 partly intergrown Betafite crystals. One of these crystals is not more than 50% complete, and another is about 75% complete, but the largest is essentially whole (though visibly damaged) and has a diameter of about 1" (2.5 cm). Its crystal form is an octahedron modified by a cube. The accompanying bit of matrix is massive calcite with apatite and biotite, and the salmon color is due to the calcite being affected by the radiaion. It is hot-glued onto a flat acrylic base.

Dims: 2.4 x 1.7 x 1.1" (6.0 x 4.2 x 2.7 cm)

Wt: 2.6 oz. (73 g)

Silver Crater Mine, Bancroft, Ontario, Canada

Three intergrown Betafite crystals rest on the calcite base of this small cabinet piece. The largest of these crystals is much larger than the other two, and has dimensions of 0.9 x 0.9 x 0.9" (2.4 x 2.3 x 2.3 cm). The next in size is less than half that large, and the third does not exceed 0.2" (4 mm) along any axis. All are in excellent condition, showing very little damage, though the cluster as a whole was separated from the base and then re-attached. All have excellent isometric dodecahedral form and the standard black color, though they are all rust-stained. Their luster is dull, and all are certainly opaque. The calcite base is also rust-stained and contains a few more broken, incomplete Betafites.

Dims: 1.7 x 1.6 x 1.5" (4.4 x 4.0 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 3.7 oz. (105 g)

Silver Crater Mine, Bancroft, Ontario, Canada

This excellent hand specimen consists of two Betafite crystals- one partial, one complete- that are partly embedded in two intersecting, incomplete apatite prisms. The complete crystal measures nearly 1" (2.5 cm) in diameter and is in perfect condition, as it does not show even minor damage. Its dodecahedral form is excellent, though a few rhombic faces are slightly modified to a hexagonal shape. Its color is a dull red-brown and its luster is dull. It is, of course, completely opaque. The apatites that form the base show excellent trigonal form but are heavily damaged and missing their terminations. There is no other material present.

Dims: 1.3x0.9x0.9" (3.2x2.4x2.3cm)

Wt: 1.35 oz. (38.2g)

Silver Crater Uranium Mine, Bancroft, Ontario, Canada

This dark brown, opaque crystal is betafite, one of the uranium minerals. Note that it is quite radioactive, although it is safer than other uranium minerals that are fibrous or powdery and thus more likely to be inhaled. The crystal is well formed, but is not a pure dodecahedron and is not complete - only 10 faces are visible. Still, it looks rather like a dark brown garnet at first glance. The faces are somewhat weathered, and the bottom of the crystal was broken long before the crystal was mined, judging by its weathered appearance.

Dims: 0.64x0.58x0.41" (1.63x1.47x1.04cm)

Wt: 0.14oz (3.94g)

Betafo, Madagascar

Although this thumbnail specimen is incomplete, it is still a very nice octahedral crystal of betafite. The form is slightly modified in that several of the faces are stepped, either due to the way the crystal grew, or possibly because this is several intergrown crystals that are nearly aligned. Betafite is a black mineral, as is this, although it has a yellow earthy coating that is commonly found on weathered betafite crystals. Careful examination reveals several areas where the black betafite shows through the coating.