Sapphirine
Sapphirine
Sapphirine

Sapphirine

€155,00
SKU: A904
Nawatara, Amboasary Sud District, Anosy, Madagascar
This sapphirine specimen is comparatively cheaper because the upper half of the crystal was likely repaired/glued. There's also some damage on the crystal face from removed matrix adhesions. Otherwise, the crystal is a nice size, and the edges and surfaces without damage are very well formed.
5.2 x 4.6 x 3.3 cm
121.7 g

Sapphirine is a magnesium-aluminium silicate and is therefore not related to sapphire/corundum. The name was chosen in 1790 by the discoverer of the mineral because of its blue color and hexagonal crystals. Sapphirine is quite hard, brittle (Mohs=7.5) and has a monoclinic crystal structure. In addition to blue tones, greenish or gray/black color nuances also occur.