Amazing Golden ASTROPHYLLITE Crystal Cluster Mineral Specimen KHIBINY RUSSIA for Sale

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Amazing Golden ASTROPHYLLITE Crystal Cluster Mineral Specimen KHIBINY RUSSIA For Sale

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Amazing Golden ASTROPHYLLITE Crystal Cluster Mineral Specimen KHIBINY RUSSIA:
$14.99

This specimen weighs 6.76 grams. It measures 22 mm x 21 mm x 12 mm.
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and I will buy back the item for your full purchase price.Hi there. I am selling this amazing astrophyllite specimen! It is from the Khibiny Mountains in the Kola Peninsula, Russia. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask me.Have fun offerding, thanks so much for visiting my sale and have a great day!
AstrophylliteFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to navigationJump to InosilicatesAstrophyllite groupFormula(repeating unit) (K,Na)3(Fe++,Mn)7Ti2Si8O24(O,OH)7IMA symbol Ast[1]Strunz classification 9.DC.05Crystal system TriclinicCrystal class Pinacoidal (1)(same H-M symbol)Space group A1IdentificationColor Golden brown to yellow; rarely greenishCrystal habit Tabular to bladed, radiating, stellate aggregates; lamellar massesCleavage Perfect on [001] imperfect on [100]Fracture UnevenMohs scale hardness 3-4Luster Greasy, pearly, sub-metallicStreak Yellowish brown or whiteDiaphaneity Translucent to opaqueSpecific gravity 3.2–3.4Optical properties Biaxial positiveRefractive index nα = 1.680 nβ = 1.700 nγ = 1.730Birefringence 0.050Pleochroism Strong: X= deep red-orange Y= orange-yellow Z= lemon-yellowReferences [2][3][4]Astrophyllite is a very rare, brown to golden-yellow hydrous potassium iron titanium silicate mineral. Belonging to the astrophyllite group, astrophyllite may be classed either as an inosilicate, phyllosilicate, or an intermediate between the two. It forms an isomorphous series with kupletskite, to which it is visually identical and often intimately associated. Astrophyllite is of interest primarily to scientists and collectors.
Heavy, soft and fragile, astrophyllite typically forms as bladed, radiating stellate aggregates. It is this crystal habit that gives astrophyllite its name, from the Greek words astron meaning "star" and phyllon meaning "leaf". Its great submetallic gleam and darkness contrast sharply with the light (felsic) matrix the mineral is regularly found within. Astrophyllite is usually opaque to translucent, but may be transparent in thin specimens.
As the crystals themselves possess perfect cleavage, they are typically left in situ, the entire aggregate often cut into slabs and polished. Owing to its limited availability and high cost, astrophyllite is seldom seen in an ornamental capacity. It is sometimes used in jewellery where it is fashioned into cabochons.
Found in cavities and fissures in unusual felsic igneous rocks, astrophyllite is associated with feldspar, mica, titanite, zircon, nepheline, and aegirine. Common impurities include magnesium, aluminium, calcium, zirconium, niobium, and tantalum. It was first discovered in 1854 at its type locality; Laven Island, Norway. Kupletskite was not known until 1956, over a hundred years later.
Astrophyllite is found in a few scarce, remote localities: Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada; Pikes Peak, Colorado, US; Narsarsuk and Kangerdluarsuk, Greenland; Brevig, Norway; and the Kola Peninsula, Russia.