The mineral afghanite is a rare and collectible mineral uncovered initially in the Badakhshan province of northern Afghanistan in 1968. It is often encountered in association with lapis lazuli and frequently together with lazurite, the blue component of lapis gemstone.
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| Known Facts |
| Color Key: |
Blue, white |
| Refractive Index: |
1.523-1.529 |
| Chemical Composition: |
(Na,Ca,K)8Al6Si6O24(Cl2,SO4,CO3) |
| Hardness: |
5.5-6 |
| Density: |
2.55-2.65 |
| Crystal Group: |
Trigonal |
| Ocurrence: |
Afghanistan, Italy |
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Afghanite is a member of the trigonal system and typically forms as elongated prismatic crystals or in a massive form embedded in a marble matrix. It can be white or blue and is usually opaque and rarely translucent or transparent. It has a Moh's hardness of 5.5 to 6, a specific gravity of 2.55 to 2.65, and it fluoresces bright orange. Common mineral associations include Calcite, Lazurite, Pyrite, Diopside, Muscovite, and Forsterite. |
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