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Petalite

MNHN N°191.17

visu_28 infos

FROM : Paprok, Kamdesh, Afghanistan
SIZE : 8.5 x 5.5 x 4 cm

general description

This sample is a perfect colorless crystal partially gemmeous.

To know more, this sample was acquired as a beryllonite by the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle. In 1991, a study of this sample allowed the identification of its nature and was also the first identification of a petalite in the pegmatite of Paprok. Since this sample, the pegmatite of Paprok provided new crystals of petalite only in 1996. This new petalite crystals has large sizes (>20 cm).

This sample of petalite, acquired thanks to support from Total, comes from Paprok in Afghanistan.

It is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

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The Species page

Identity card

SPECIE : Petalite

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word "πεταλον" [petalon] that means "leave". Name given in reference to its cleveage

Species first described in 1800 by José Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva (1763-1838), Brazilian politician and geologist

Type-locality : Utö Island, Haninge, Stockholm area, Sweden
ANCIENT NAME : Castor, castorite

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Li Al Si4O10
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Monoclinic
COLOR : White, gray, pink
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Prismatic crystals, foliated, lamellars, massive
HARDNESS : 6,5
DENSITY : 2,41-2,42

CHEMICAL CLASS : VIII - Silicates
GROUP : Petalite - Virgilite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 8/J.03-10
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 9.EF.05

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