Fine petalite is rare and fragile. For this reason it is only occasionally cut for the collector. Crystals are transparent, colourless or white, occurring as tabular or columnar prisms with a glassy appearance. Massive petalite is more common, cut in cabochon.

Petalite is mainly found in Elba (Italy), Brazil, Australia, Sweden, Finland, USA, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Chemical Composition: 

Lithium aluminium silicate

Crystal System / Forms: 

Monoclinic

Hardness: 

6

Specific Gravity: 

2.42

Lustre: 

Vitreous to pearly

Refractive Index / Birefringence: 

1.50-1.51 / 0.014

Geological Occurrence: 

Elba (Italy), Brazil, Australia, Sweden, Finland, USA, Zimbabwe and Namibia

Cuts & Uses: 

Cushion, Mixed