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www.mineralgallery.co.za Minerals A-E |
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Apophyllite |
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Name
Apophyllite
Chemistry
KCa4(Fl(Si4O10)2).8H20
Uses
As a gemstone and a decorative stone, or mineral specimen
Color
Colorless,white, yellow to brown, reddish and even greenish.
Hardness
4.5-5
Specific gravity
2.3-2.4
Streak
White
Crystals
(Tetragonal) dipyramidal, prismatic, cubic, tabular, often rough, uneven surfaces, almost always surficial growth.
Accompanied by:
Analcite, prehnite, heulandite, natrolite, scolecite, stilbite and calcite
Similar to:
Chabazite, heulandite, fluorite and ludlamite
Apophyllite is one of the more common zeolites.
The ones from Poona in India are world class specimens. There is almost an oversupply which makes this beautiful mineral fairly common. It has a mother of pearl luster. It is vitreous and transparent to translucent. The cleavage is perfect. The fracture is uneven. It is brittle and soluble in hydrochloric acid. One way that you can identify it, is with a flame test. It shows up violet.
In South Africa it is found at the diamond mines at Kimberley , Jagersfontein and at the Premier mine as well as on a farm ,Middel Fontein Wod. at Barkly-East. The South African varieties is white or yellow or sometimes green and pink. It is a soft mineral and are only collected as specimens.
