What On Earth is Apophyllite?

Apophyllite is a potassium-calcium fluoride-silicate mineral that forms clear, glassy pyramids and cubes, often sitting on green stilbite or basalt. It is fragile and heat-sensitive, which is why it is mostly sold as specimens and pyramids. In crystal lore it is a stone of light and higher awareness. Here is its chemistry, history and lore.

The Physical Properties of Apophyllite

It is a phyllosilicate (sheet silicate) mineral. It shares a few chemical properties with Zeolite (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

Old accounts say Apophyllite was treasured by Greeks, Egyptians, Romans and Indians, who considered it miraculous.

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 meditation spaces and display.

The Metaphysical Properties of Apophyllite

In crystal lore, Apophyllite is the stone of spirit guidance and the angels. As a stone of higher consciousness, it is linked with the crown chakra, wisdom and knowledge, and with joy and progress.

In tradition it also stands for strength, willpower and curiosity about new possibilities, which is why it is a popular gift for someone starting something new.

Many people hold an Apophyllite pyramid when meditating, or place a few pyramids around a room (alone or with other stones). See more mineral specimens for display.

Note: These meanings come from tradition and belief, not from science. All information published here is for educational purposes.