Melanophlogite (very rare)

Item Description

Melanophlogite is a rare silicate mineral and a polymorph of silicon dioxide. The material dates back to the 1800s from various localities in Italy, where the best pieces are known today. Melanophlogite can be grown synthetically at low temperatures and elevated pressures (e.g. 160 C and 60 bar). It has a zeolite-like porous structure. This piece features small, gemmy, colorless, spherical "bead"-like groups of Melanophlogite on host rock matrix. The piece shows interesting fluorescence under UV light.