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| <<Back to Main | ApatiteApatite | Aquamarine and BerylsAquamarine and Beryls | ChrysoberylChrysoberyl | Crystal CollectionsCrystal Collections | DanburiteDanburite | DiopsideDiopside | EnstatiteEnstatite | Feldspar and MoonstonesFeldspar and Moonstones | FluoriteFluorite | GarnetGarnet | Gemstones in matrixGemstones in matrix | Lapis LazuliLapis Lazuli | PegmatitePegmatite | PeridotPeridot | PetalitePetalite | PhenakitePhenakite | Pyrite, Hematite and Iron OresPyrite, Hematite and Iron Ores | Quartz Family: Amethyst, Citrine, Agate...Quartz Family: Amethyst, Citrine, Agate... | Rare Burmese SpecimensRare Burmese Specimens | RubyRuby | SapphireSapphire | ScapoliteScapolite | Sillimanite or FibroliteSillimanite or Fibrolite | SpinelSpinel | TopazTopaz | TourmalineTourmaline | ZirconZircon | Other Fine CrystalsOther Fine Crystals | | Our Top Petalite Highlight | Petalite | | The name petalite comes from the old Greek word "petalon" which means "leaf", referring to the leave like disposition of its cleavage which is perfect. Crystal habits are rare and petalite is usually found massive and polysynthetic. It has a hardness of 6 on Mohs' scale, so it is not used in jewelry.
In fact, petalite is mostly a collector's piece. In the Molo mining area near Momeik in Burma colorless Petalite was found 2 years ago associated with tourmaline, hambergite, quartz and feldspar in a pegmatite. Crystals there are quite exceptional as they can be found large enough to be cut as gems and fine enough to please crystal collectors.
Molo Petalite shows often an etched surface and is locally called "Molo Thalin" or "castorite". Several cut stones up to 20 carats have been seen recently in Burmese markets but supply is scarce as this stone is difficult to cut. Petalite can be colorless as in Molo or grey, yellow, pinkish or white. A variety showing chatoyancy is found in Zimbabwe and is called "petalite-analcime".
Cat's eye specimen has also been seen in Burma due to tube like inclusions. Some confusion is possible with orthoclase and generally with all kind of transparent man-made glass. Petalite is a lithium aluminum silicate (LiAlSi4O10) crystallizing in the monoclinic system. Although petalite is a biaxial stone, it doesn't show any pleochroism. It has a specific gravity varying between 2,4 and 2,6. It usually occurs in granite pegmatite with quartz and lepidolite.
Outside Burma, this rare stone can be also found in Sweden, United-States (Massachusetts, Maines), Brazil (Minas Gerais) and, as told above, in Zimbabwe. (A.Z)
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