SILICATES; TECTOSILICATES; FELDSPATHOID GROUP · HEXAGONAL
Afghanite
(Na,Ca,K)8Al6Si6O24(Cl2,SO4,CO3)3 · 0.5H2O
Hardness
5.5–6
Streak
White
Spec. Gravity
2.5–2.6
System
Hexagonal
About
Afghanite is a rare and coveted mineral with a striking blue color, first identified in 1968. With a very close resemblance to Lazurite, and occurring together in the same deposits, Afghanite is distinguished by its unique crystal habit. Afghanite is named after its most significant locality in northern Afghanistan.
Afghanite is strictly used as a rare collectors mineral.
Noteworthy Localities
Afghanite is a rare mineral, with the only significantly important deposit being Sar-e Sang, Kokcha Valley, in Badakshan Province,
Afghanistan, where it forms large and beautiful crystals that are almost always embedded on a white marblematrix. Small crusts of Afghanite occur in the vicinity of Slyudyanka, near the southern area of Lake Baikal, and white and colorless microcrystals in the vicinity of Vico Lake, near Viterbo, Italy.
