What On Earth is Apophyllite?

Apophyllite is a potassium-calcium fluoride-silicate mineral. Structurally, its crystals can be cubic, pyramidal, or tiny sets on a stone. It is commonly used in crystal healing due to its ability to remove negative energies and elevate consciousness.

Read on and dig deeper into the mineral’s history and properties.

The Physical Properties of Apophyllite

It belongs to the aluminosilicate family, a group of minerals composed of aluminum, silicon, and oxygen. It shares a few chemical properties with Zeolite (also an aluminosilicate mineral), only that Apophyllite has a high water content and no aluminum.

It can be clear or opaque with a glassy appearance. It displays a white to grayish colour but it can also have a white, yellow, pink, or brown hue. It often occurs with Zeolite as crystals in rocks like basalt, granite, and gneiss. Apophyllite crystals are usually found in India, Brazil, Mexico, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Canada, and Iceland.

With a Mohs hardness level of 4.5 to 5, cubic-shaped Apophyllite crystals are fragile and brittle. It is also highly sensitive to heat. The heat coming from a jeweller’s torch can cause the crystals to flake off.

The History of Apophyllite

It was the French mineralogist René Just Hauy who first called the mineral Apophyllite in 1806. The name comes from two Greek words: apo meaning ‘to be off, and phyllos meaning ‘leaf.’ The combination of these words describes the way the mineral flakes apart or disintegrates like a leaf when exposed to heat due to water loss.

In 1978, the International Mineralogical Association named Apophyllite as a group of three minerals that share the same chemical properties, not a single stone. These three minerals include KF Apophyllite, KOH Apophyllite, and NaF Apophyllite. However, this classification remains to be a subject of debate among mineralogists to this day.

The Lore of Apophyllite

Since ancient times, Apophyllite stones have been used for healing practices by Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, and Indians. They were considered ‘miraculous’ and could heal various ailments.

There are no other known uses of Apophyllite considering how brittle and difficult it is to cut and polish. Today, it is a popular collector’s stone and is still widely used for crystal healing and meditation.

The Metaphysical Properties of Apophyllite

The stone is believed to help a person receive guidance from the spirit and the angels. As a stone of higher consciousness, it can unblock the crown chakra and provide wisdom and knowledge. It can also stimulate joy and progress to increase one’s productivity level. Apophyllite is said to release any unwanted energies and help its user become calmer, happier, and content.

Another benefit attributed to Apophyllite is that it can restore strength and willpower. As a result, its user will have a greater desire to explore possibilities. The stone is recommended for people experiencing sadness, apathy, and a lack of motivation. It also assists in releasing stress, fear, and anxiety.

To access these benefits, hold an Apophyllite pyramid when meditating. One may also place a number of pyramids in different parts of a specific room or your entire house (alone or with other stones).

Note: There is no scientific evidence that supports the effectiveness of mineral stones and crystals in treating ailments. All information published here is purely for educational purposes.

Scientists attribute the “healing impact” to the placebo effect that takes place when using stones and crystals. Holding stones and meditating with them is said to trigger the release of feel-good hormones (endorphins and dopamine) in the brain.

Sources:

The Mineral Apophyllite. (n.d.). Minerals.net. Accessed on 2021, March 25, from https://www.minerals.net/mineral/apophyllite.aspx

Apophyllite Stone: Its History, Origin And Composition, And Its Litho Therapeutic Properties And Virtues. (n.d.). The Minerals Kingdom Club. Accessed on 2021, March 25, from https://www.minerals-kingdom.co.uk/stones-virtues/apophyllite-stone/

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Apophyllite. Britannica. Accessed on 2021, March 25, from https://www.britannica.com/science/mica/Origin-and-occurrence

Oakes, L. (n.d.). Apophyllite: Infuses Your Being with Light. Healing Crystals for You. Accessed on 2021, March 25, from https://www.healing-crystals-for-you.com/apophyllite.html