Angelite
A variety of Anhydrite
What is Angelite?
Angelite is a blue-gray variety of the mineral known as Anhydrite, and its unique coloration makes it a highly popular in the gemstone trade. It is rarely faceted, more often used for carved, ornamental objects and polished cabochons. The only known locality of angelite is Peru, where it was first discovered in the late 1980s.
Uses & Applications
The Catalyst Science Discovery Centre in Widnes, England, has a relief carving of an anhydrite kiln, made from a piece of anhydrite, for the United Sulphuric Acid Corporation.
Healing Properties
Angelite is believed to facilitate healing from past-life mistakes and allow one to better understand their spirit guides. It is often used to cleanse negative energy, removing all blocks and allowing positive energy to flow through. It may encourage intuitive thinking when placed on the Third Eye chakra and gives the user the insight and energy to make changes as needed.
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.570-1.614
- Birefringence
- 0.044
- Pleochroism
- Weak
- Optical Character
- Biaxial positive
- Dispersion
- 0.013
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Angelite Localities Map
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Key Characteristics
Formation of Angelite
Anhydrite is most frequently found in evaporite deposits with gypsum; it was, for instance, first discovered in 1794 in a salt mine near Hall in Tirol. In this occurrence, depth is critical since nearer the surface anhydrite has been altered to gypsum by absorption of circulating ground water. From an aqueous solution, calcium sulfate is deposited as crystals of gypsum, but when the solution contains an excess of sodium or potassium chloride, anhydrite is deposited if the temperature is above 40 °C (104 °F). This is one of the several methods by which the mineral has been prepared artificially and is identical with its mode of origin in nature. The mineral is common in salt basins.
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Colorless, pale blue, violet, white, mauve, rose, pale brown, gray
- Streak
- White
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- CaSO4
- Elements
- Ca, O, S
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