Astrophyllite - Russia
Astrophyllite - Russia
Location: Khibiny Massif, Murmansk Oblast, Russia
Size: 4.65 x 2.82 x2.53 inches
Weight: 1.02 pounds (465 grams)
This is a very large and very rich example of this species. Look to see what others are charging for pieces just a fraction of this size.
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.