Location: Khibiny Massif, Murmansk Oblast, Russia

Size: 2.20 x 1.95 x 1.40 inches

Weight: 0.33 pounds (150 grams)

While this is not as big as some of the others you very rarely get to see ones of this quality anymore especially priced under $100. This one is so nice for the species and the pictures do not do it justice. The percentage of Astrophyllite of matrix is very high and this is a perfect example of how the mineral got its name. Please note there will be some shedding from the leafy sections but this will not cause any loss in quality.

Astrophyllite is a very rare, brown to golden-yellow hydrous potassium iron titanium silicate mineral.

Astrophyllite typically forms as bladed, radiating aggregates. It is this radiating habit that gives astrophyllite its name which came from the Greek words astron meaning star and phyllon meaning leaf.

Astrophyllite is found in a few scarce, remote localities in unusual igneous rocks and is often associated with feldspar, mica, titanite, zircon, nepheline, and aegirine.

I have tried a long time to get more than just a few pieces of this very rare mineral and was just able to secure a very large supply at a good price. This is a nice piece that shows a lot more Astrophyllite than what you see for sale at only a fraction of the price. I do have a decent supply of these that came from a large hoard mined prior to 1990 so let me know if you need additional pieces.