The Encylopedia of gems in English is still under construction. Thanks to visit the encyclopedia of gems in French.

< back to the encyclopaedia (379)

Hyalophane

  • Translations : Hyalophan, Гиалофан, 钡冰长石, ハイアロフェン
  • Synonym : Jaloallofane
  • Etymology : Named by Wolfgang Sartorius von Waltershausen, from the Greek ύαλος = "glass" and φαίνεσθαι, "appear", in reference to the transparency of the crystals.
  • Discovery: 1855 by Wolfgang Sartorius von Waltershausen
  • Type localityLengenbach Quarry, Im Feld (Imfeld; Feld; Fäld), Binn Valley, Wallis (Valais), Switzerland.

It is a mineral of the feldspar group, intermediate element in the Celsian-Hyalophane and Hyalophane-Orthose series.

For more information on Hyalophane mineralogy, see Mindat.org->

Gemological data

  • Chemical formula : (K,Ba)[Al(Si,Al)Si2O8]
  • Hardness (Mohs) : 6 - 6.5
  • Density : 2.81
  • Refractive index : nα = 1.542 nβ = 1.545 nγ = 1.547
  • Birefingence : 0.005
  • Crystal system : Monoclinique
  • Group : Feldspaths
  • Mineralogical Class : Tectosilicates

< back to the encyclopaedia (379)