Astrophyllite
Astrophyllite is a rare mineral which forms in bladed star shapes. The crystals are typically left in matrix, and the whole matrix is polished or sold rough.
As it is quite rare, quality specimens are incredibly prized by collectors.
Appearance, Uses and History
Astrophyllite is a fairly rare mineral, which is usually left ‘on matrix’, in its original host rock.
Pieces on the matrix are sold either in their rough, or sold polished. As far as I can tell it is exclusively used as mineral specimens and jewellery – it is uncommon and relatively expensive, and of interest largely to scientists and collectors.
Locales
Astrophyllite is found in Canada, Norway, Russia, and the USA.
Mineralogy
Photos of Astrophyllite
Hazards and Warnings
Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.
When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.
Translations
Arabic:
Hindi:
Portuguese:
- astrofilita
Bengali:
Indonesian:
Punjabi:
English:
Italian:
- astrofillite
Russian:
- Астрофиллит
French:
Japanese:
- アストロフィライト
Spanish:
- Aastrophyllita
- Asterophyllita
- Astrophyllita
- astrofilita
German:
- Astrophyllit
- Aastrophyllit
- Asterophyllit
- Astrophengit
Korean:
- 아스트로 필 라이트
Thai:
Gujurati:
Mandarin and Traditional Chinese:
- 星葉石
- 星叶石
Urdu: