Petalite Castorite Specimen Russia Transbaikalia

$102.00

Out of stock

Description

PETALITE SPECIMEN

This is the polished grayish-white petalite specimen with irisation. Dimensions: 3.1 x 1.6 x 0.8″ (7.8 x 4 x 2cm). Weight – 5.1oz (144 grams). Origin: Russia, Transbaikalia.

Some information about petalite:

Petalite, also known as castorite, is a lithium aluminium phyllosilicate mineral LiAlSi4O10, crystallizing in the monoclinic system. Petalite is a member of the feldspathoid group. It occurs as colorless, grey, yellow, yellow grey, to white tabular crystals and columnar masses. Occurs in lithium-bearing pegmatites with spodumene, lepidolite, and tourmaline.

Discovered in 1800, by Brazilian naturalist and statesman Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva. Type locality: Utö Island, Haninge, Stockholm, Sweden. The name is derived from the Greek word petalon, which means leaf (perfect cleavage).

The first important economic application for petalite was as a raw material for the glass-ceramic cooking ware CorningWare. It has been used as a raw material for ceramic glazes.

Additional information

Weight 144 g