Petalite
Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56247090" class="extiw" title="d:Q56247090"><span title="mineral collector and dealer">Robert M. Lavinsky</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NamePetalite
Chemical FormulaLiAlSi4O10
Mohs Hardness6
Crystal Systemmonoclinic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect on {001}, distinct on {201}
Fractureuneven
Specific Gravity2.4
Colorscolorless, white, pale yellow
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityPaprok, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usesgemstone, lithium ore, ceramic raw material
Associated Mineralsspodumene, lepidolite, tourmaline, quartz, albite
Rarityrare
Description
This specimen is a roughly pyramidal, translucent crystal of petalite, displaying a pale, almost colorless to very light yellowish-white hue with a somewhat textured surface.
Geological Context
Petalite is typically found in lithium-rich granitic pegmatites, forming during the late stages of magmatic crystallization. It is an important indicator mineral for highly fractionated pegmatite systems.
