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Afghanite
Afghanite
Afghanite
Afghanite

Afghanite

Afghanite

A species of Cancrinite Group

The remarkable blue appearance of afghanite is a very recent discovery, dating back to just 1968. It is incredibly rare! Since its initial discovery, it has only been found in Afghanistan and a few minuscule bands elsewhere. It is an incredibly complex crystal comprised of eleven different elements.

Hardness
Hardness:

5.5 - 6

Density
Density:

2.65 g/cm³

General Info About Afghanite

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Physical Properties of Afghanite

Luster
Vitreous
Diaphaneity
Translucent
Colors
white, light blue, dark blue
Magnetism
Non-magnetic
Tenacity
Brittle
Cleavage
Perfect
Fracture
Conchoidal
Streak
white
Crystal System
Trigonal
Hardness
5.5 - 6 , Hard
Density
2.65 g/cm³, Normal Weight
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Chemical Properties of Afghanite

Chemical Classification
Silicates
Formula
(Na,K)22Ca10(Si24Al24O96)(SO4)6Cl6
Elements listed
Al, Ca, Cl, K, Na, O, S, Si
Common Impurities
None

Optical Properties of Afghanite

Refractive Index
1.522-1.533
Birefringence
0.006
Optical Character
Biaxial positive

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Rarity
Rare

Characteristics of Afghanite

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Characteristics of Afghanite

Afghanite is a feldspathoid of the cancrinite group and typically occurs with sodalite group minerals. It forms blue to colorless, typically massive crystals in the trigonal crystal system. The lowering of the symmetry from typical (for cancrinite group) hexagonal one is due to ordering of Si and Al. It has a Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6 and a specific gravity of 2.55 to 2.65. It has refractive index values of nω=1.523 and nε=1.529. It has one direction of perfect cleavage and exhibits conchoidal fracture. It fluoresces a bright orange.

Formation of Afghanite

It occurs as veinlets in lazurite crystals in the Afghan location and in altered limestone xenoliths within pumice in Pitigliano, Tuscany, Italy.

Composition of Afghanite

Afghanite is a hydrous sodium, calcium, potassium, sulfate, chloride, carbonate alumino-silicate mineral.

Cultural Significance of Afghanite

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Uses of Afghanite

It is used as a gemstone.

Distribution of Afghanite

It has also been described from localities in Germany, Italy, the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan, near Lake Baikal in Siberia, New York and Newfoundland.

Etymology of Afghanite

It was discovered in 1968 in the Lapis-lazuli Mine, Sar-e-Sang, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan and takes its name from that country.

Common Questions People Also Ask

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