Information about Petalite

A lithium aluminium phyllosilicate mineral which typically occurs in lithium bearing pegmatites alongside tourmaline, lepidolite, spodumene and other mica minerals.

Uses and History

Petalite is an important ore of lithium, and is also used as a raw material in glass-ceramics. It is also used in ceramic glazes for pottery.

The name petalite comes from the Greek ‘petalon’, or leaf, referring to the perfect basal cleavage of the mineral.

The type locality for the mineral is the Uto Mines, Haninge, Sweden.

Mineralogy

Hazards and Warnings

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.

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

Further Reading / External Links

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petalite
• https://www.mindat.org/show.php?id=3171&ld=1
• http://webmineral.com/data/Petalite.shtml