Petalite
Petalite is also known as castorite. It is a lithium aluminum tectosilicate mineral LiAlSi4O10.
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Petalite meaning
Crystallizing in the monoclinic system. It’s a member of the feldspathoid group. It occurs as colorless, also grey, yellow, yellow grey, to white tabular crystals and columnar masses. Occurs in lithium-bearing pegmatites with spodumene, also lepidolite, and tourmaline.
It is an important ore of lithium. And It is converted to spodumene and also quartz by heating to ~500 °C. And under 3 kbar of pressure in the presence of a dense hydrous alkali borosilicate fluid. With a minor carbonate component.
Petalite, and secondary spodumen formed from it, is lower in iron than primary spodumen. It makes it a more useful source of lithium in e.g. the production of glass. The colorless varieties are often used as gemstones.
The stone has a hardness of 6 to 6.5. A refractive index ranging from 1.50 – 1.52. Also a density of 2.3-2.5. And a monoclinic crystal structure.
Discovered in 1800, by Brazilian naturalist and statesman Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva. Type locality: Utö Island, Haninge, Stockholm, Sweden. The name is due to the Greek word petalon. It means leaf, perfect cleavage.
The first important economic application for petalite was as a raw material. For the glass-ceramic cooking ware Corning Ware. It has been used as a raw material for ceramic glazes.
The crystal promotes the conversion of the quartz form of silica to the cristobalite form. This has implications on the thermal expansion of the fired matrix.
We can found deposits of petalite near Kalgoorlie, western Australia; also in Aracuai, Minas Gerais, Brazil; another in Karibib, Namibia; furthermore in Manitoba, Canada; and finally in Bikita, Zimbabwe.
Care
Below quartz in hardness and with perfect cleavage. Because of its hardness, petalites sets on earrings and also pendants. These jewelry pieces receive minimal physical impact. Avoid ring use without a protective setting. Store your petalites separately from other harder gems to avoid scratching. Use a soft brush, mild detergent, and warm water for cleaning.
Petalite crystals meaning and healing properties
The following section is pseudo scientific and based on cultural beliefs.
The crystal aids healing of the endocrine system. It is useful for the treatment of AIDS and cancer. Petalite benefits cells, eyes, lungs, muscular spasms. and the intestines. The stone supports you when the chemicals in your brain are out of whack and you are going through a manic period. With this stone in hand, set the intention to balance your brain physiology.
Petalite
FAQ
What is petalite used for?
The stone may be used for alignment between the physical plane and the spirit world. The crystal is a very helpful crystal to use for ancestral and family healing. The gem may be used to stimulate clairaudience, clairvoyance, clairsentience, and telepathic
What does petalite look like?
Although colorless, glassy crystals can make stunning faceted jewelry pieces, beautiful pale gray, white, yellow, and pink stones can also be found. Gem cutters occasionally cab massive pink material from Namibia. Included cab-cut stones may show a weak chatoyancy or cat’s eye effect.
What chakra is petalite gemstone?
Clear gems also known as castorite is lovely as it brings clarity to your thoughts, and the pink variety is a heart chakra stone of the pink ray.
Is petalite a natural stone?
A beautiful natural gemstone, but remains largely unknown due to its rarity. It was named after the Greek word for “leaf” because its cleavage is perfect, like the veins and junctions in a leaf.
How do I use petalite stone?
Stones are deeply spiritual stones that resonate with the angelic realm. You can easily communicate with angelic beings with the help of these stones. When you place crystal tumbled stones over your heart or use them during meditation, you can be linked to the highest level of awareness.