General characteristics

Petalite is a rather rare mineral that has no analogues. It is nothing more than lithium aluminum silicate. The name comes from the Greek language: “petalnos” means leaf. The fact is that petalite has perfect cleavage, due to which it consists of connected thin plates. Upon closer inspection, you can notice its layered structure. It was discovered and described at the beginning of the 19th century by the geologist Silva. Found near Stockholm in Sweden.

There are other options for the name petalite, here are some:

lithite;

petalite spar;

castorite

The last name – castorite – was given by the name of one of the sons of the god of thunder and lightning Zeus. The mineral is still being actively developed in Sweden, but this is not the only European country rich in stone. There are quite promising deposits in Italy and the Czech Republic. Petalite is also found in Namibia, as well as in Australia.

Composition and properties of petalite

Petalite formula is LiAl[Si4O10]. As you can see, the composition includes substances such as lithium, aluminum, silicon, and oxygen. As mentioned, the stone is a combination of thin leaves, films, which are layered on top of each other. In some cases, transparency is very high, since films are most often colorless. Thanks to this, excellent reflection and refraction of rays in the mineral can be noted. There is also a pinkish color. Such pebbles are also highly valued.

Sometimes there are pearlescent shades. Hardness – 6.5. Density – 2.5 g/cm3. As you can see, the parameters are excellent. The mineral still melts under a commercial soldering iron, but you need to wait a long time. It colors the flame bright red, this indicates the presence of lithium in the petalite, which when heated begins to glow pink. This effect is called thermoluminescence. Rarely is a mineral completely pure. The most common impurities are:

• potassium;
• sodium;
• iron;
• calcium;
• magnesium.

Application of petalite

As already mentioned, petalite is a very rare and valuable stone. First of all, collectors try to find it. Inexperienced geologists and amateurs often mistake it for a diamond. Indeed, it is very difficult to determine with the naked eye. Even at the first analysis, it can be mistaken for a diamond, since the hardness is indeed very high.

The only thing that is clear from its composition is that petalite does not have a graphite base. The largest specimen that was found weighs more than 200 carats. But the usual size of crystals is 4-6 carats. Also used as an ornamental stone, used in ceramics. Highly valued.

OTHER MEASUREMENTS –

Other stones carry dimensions into those,
Where Yin and Yang did not yet know separation,
Where harmony was born in wild chaos.
Frozen in it……
And intertwined with him…

Perhaps I’m still alive because
What God sends in forgiveness
For my sinfully chaotic existence
– Ability with communication stones.

What kind of communication? – you ask.
I won’t be able to say it in words, unfortunately.
But if I’m confused in life,
In them is my quiet, kind haven.