Meliphanite Locality: Langesundsfjorden , Larvik , Vestfold , Norway ( Locality at mindat.org ) Size: 7.5 x 5.1 x 4.5 cm. Meliphanite is a rare calcium, sodium, beryllium, aluminum silicate. This old-time specimen is richly covered with lustrous, tetragonal meliphanite crystals and is from the classic Co-type Locality - the Langesundsfjorden, Norway. Comes with an expertly handwritten, faded label from an older collection. The collection this came out of was a museum stash dating to prior to World War I. — Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0
Meliphanite
Meliphanite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula Ca₄(Na,Ca)₄Be₄AlSi₇O₂₄(F,O)₄.
It crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal system (space group I-4).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 5–5.5; specific gravity 3.01–3.02; Vitreous luster; optically uniaxial.
IMA symbol Mph, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1852.
Found in augite syenite (FredriksvÄa rn, Norway).
It is found associated with Natrolite, mica, fluorite (FredriksvÄa rn, Norway).
Its name comes from the Greek for honey-yellow and to appear, in allusion to its color.