Aheylite facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aheylite |
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Size: 3.5×2.3×0.8 cm. Translucent ~0.2 cm spheres of aheylite are perched on dark cassiterite, together with elongated quartz crystals.
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| General | |
| Category | Phosphate minerals |
| Formula (repeating unit) |
(Fe2+,Zn)Al6(OH)8(PO4)4·4(H2O) |
| Strunz classification | 8.DD.15 |
| Unit cell | a = 7.885, b = 10.199 c = 7.672 [Å]; α = 110.84° β = 115.12°, γ = 67.51°; Z = 1 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Very pale blue, pale green, to blue-green |
| Crystal habit | Interlocked crystals in felted and matted aggregates forming botryoidal, spherulitic masses; radiating, prismatic groups |
| Crystal system | Triclinic Unknown space group |
| Cleavage | Perfect {001}, {010} good |
| Fracture | Hackly to splintery |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 5 to 5.5 |
| Luster | Porcelaneous to subvitreous |
| Streak | White to greenish white |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent in thin flakes |
| Specific gravity | 2.84 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
| Refractive index | ~1.63 |
Aheylite is a special and rare mineral. It belongs to a group of minerals called phosphate minerals. You can find it as pale blue or pale green crystals. These crystals have a unique shape called triclinic. In 1984, Aheylite became the newest member of the famous turquoise group of minerals. This means it's related to the beautiful gemstone turquoise!
Contents
What is Aheylite Made Of?
Aheylite is part of the turquoise group. This group includes five other minerals. Besides Aheylite, there are planerite, turquoise, faustite, and chalcosiderite. Aheylite is special because it has a lot of iron (Fe2+) in its chemical makeup. Its ideal formula is Fe2+Al6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O. Aheylite usually looks pale blue or green. In the turquoise family, the blue color often comes from copper (Cu2+) when there isn't much iron (Fe3+) present.
How Aheylite Got Its Name
Aheylite was first found in the Huanuni mine in Huanuni, Oruro Department, Bolivia. It was named after Allen V. Heyl (1918–2008). He was an important geologist who worked for the United States Geological Survey. Two scientists, Eugene Foord and Joseph Taggart, were the ones who discovered this mineral.
Where Aheylite is Found
Besides Bolivia, Aheylite has also been found in a few other places. You can find it at the Bali Lo prospect in the Capricorn Range, Western Australia. It's also been reported in the Les Montmins Mine in Auvergne, France. Aheylite forms in places where hot water has flowed through rocks. It's often found in tin deposits. It appears with other minerals like variscite, vivianite, wavellite, cassiterite, sphalerite, pyrite, and quartz.
Physical Features of Aheylite
Aheylite often looks like small, rounded clumps or spheres that are stuck together. It can have a shiny, glass-like look or appear dull. If you try to break it, it will have a rough, splintery break. It's also quite brittle, meaning it can break easily. On the Mohs hardness scale, Aheylite is about 5 to 5.5. This means it's about as hard as a knife blade. Its specific gravity is 2.84, which tells us how dense it is compared to water. When you scratch it, it leaves a white or greenish-white streak.
See also
In Spanish: Aheylita para niños
