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Apophyllite-(KF)

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Fluorapophyllite
General
CategoryPhyllosilicate
Formula
(repeating unit)		KCa4Si8O20(F,OH)·8(H2O)
IMA symbolFapo
Strunz classification9.EA.15
Crystal systemTetragonal
Crystal classDitetragonal dipyramidal (4/mmm)
H–M symbol: (4/m 2/m 2/m)
Space groupP4/mnc
Unit cella = 8.963(2), c = 15.804(2) ; Z = 2
Identification
ColorColorless, white, pink, pale, yellow, green; in thin section, colorless
Crystal habitTabular to prismatic crystals; may be pseudocubic
TwinningRare on {111}
CleavagePerfect on {001}, imperfect on {110}
FractureUneven
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness4.5–5
LusterVitreous, pearly on {001}
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
Specific gravity2.33–2.37
Optical propertiesUniaxial (+)
Refractive indexnω = 1.530 – 1.536 nε = 1.532 – 1.538
Birefringenceδ = 0.002
DispersionHigh, may be anomalous
References

Apophyllite-(KF) or fluorapophyllite is a mineral of the apophyllite group, with the chemical formula of KCa4Si8O20(F,OH)·8(H2O). It gets the first half of its name, "fluor", from containing more fluorine than hydroxide compared to the other minerals in the apophyllite group.

Fluorapophyllite crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal system. Tetragonal minerals have three axes of different lengths and angles of 90 degrees. Fluorapophyllite is an anisotropic mineral and has low relief. This mineral belongs to the uniaxial (+) optical class, which means its indicatrix has a prolate sphenoid shape with a circular section, principal section, and one optic axis.

Among the apophyllite group, fluorapophyllite is the most abundant compared to the other two minerals in the group, hydroxyapophyllite and natroapophyllite. It is popular among many mineral collectors because of the large, well-developed crystals they form and the multiple colors they come in. The most wanted variation of fluorapophyllite is the green colored variant, which is found in India. Fluorapophyllite is also found in New Jersey of the United States. This mineral is found as a secondary mineral in vesicles in volcanic rocks such as basalt.

Images

  • Stilbite crystals surround a pastel green, translucent fluorapophyllite crystal Stilbite crystals surround a pastel green, translucent fluorapophyllite crystal
  • Isolated apophyllite cluster on contrasting matrix Isolated apophyllite cluster on contrasting matrix
  • A radial cluster of cubically-tipped apophyllite crystals A radial cluster of cubically-tipped apophyllite crystals
  • Light green form from Pune District, Maharashtra, India Light green form from Pune District, Maharashtra, India

References

  1. Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. Handbook of Mineralogy
  3. Fluorapophyllite on Mindat.org
  4. Johnsen, O. (2002) Photographic Guide to Minerals of the World. 439 p. Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon Street, Oxford.
  5. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-10-10. Retrieved 2010-12-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. Cook, Robert B. (1995) Fluorapophyllite. Rocks and Minerals, 70. 394–398.
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