Apophyllite Crystal Cluster
An impressive cluster of apophyllite crystals with a vitreous to pearly lustre.
Apophyllite crystals often have a shiny, almost wet-looking appearance. This characteristic, typical of apophyllite, makes it particularly challenging to capture well in a photograph because of strong reflections and light scattering.
The mineral apophyllite is fairly abundant and occurs in several colours. The most common is white or greyish-white, colourless or relatively clear. Apophyllite crystals are often well-formed and can be quite large, although large crystals are rare and highly sought after.
Although often described as a mineral, the name apophyllite refers to three minerals whose chemical composition is very similar. These minerals are fluorapophyllite, hydroxyapophyllite and natroapophyllite. Fluorapophyllite is the most common and abundant variety and most specimens labelled as apophyllite are fluorapophyllite.
The name apophyllite comes from the Greek 'apo' (to be off) and 'phyllos' (leaf). This is because when heated, apophyllite flakes like a leaf as water molecules are lost from its crystal structure.
This cluster of apophyllite crystals is far more beautiful than it appears in our photos.
