Afghanite (fine crystals)

Item Description

Afghanite is a rare species, that is typically only found in fine crystals of any substance/size come from one area in the world in Afghanistan. While micro Afghanite crystals have been found from various localities outside of Afghanite, the pieces from Ladjuar Medam, near the area of the classic Lapis/Lazurite mines, is the premier locality for the species. This specimen hosts several sharp, well-formed, deep midnight blue color, hexagonal crystals of Afghanite measuring up to 1.6 cm with massive white Calcite. When backlit, the crystals show a bit of translucency with an intense Sapphire blue color. The two main crystals are in fine shape, but some spots are not complete where the piece was separated from the pocket wall. A good display specimen of a species that is synonymous with this locality, and not really found anywhere else in fine examples. Afghanite is a rare complex alumosilicate, and one of the more obscure members of the Cancrinite group.