Small orange fibrous crystals of the extremely rare Ba-Li-Mg silicate from the type and only known locality worldwide (Xianghualing Mine, Linwu County, Chenzhou, Hunan Province, China), on a whitish contrasting matrix. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Balipholite
Balipholite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula LiBaMg₂Al₃(Si₂O₆)₂(OH)₈.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Ccca). It is a member of the Carpholite structural group.
Key properties: specific gravity 3.32–3.35; Silky luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Blp, IMA status: approved, named in 1975.
Found in a miarolitic cavity.
It is found associated with Zinnwaldite, quartz.
The name refers to BArium and LIthium in the composition, and the Chinese for fibrous.