What on Earth Is Petalite?

Petalite is a rare lithium aluminum silicate mineral that forms in granite pegmatites, most often colourless, white, grey or pink. It rates 6.5 on the Mohs scale and is prized by collectors, especially clear, inclusion-free pieces, and it is often mistaken for pink tourmaline or diamond. It is found in Australia, Italy, Russia, Sweden, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Brazil and the United States.

The Physical Properties of Petalite

Petalite is a lithium aluminum phyllosilicate mineral. It's a valuable ore of lithium that gets converted to quartz and spodumene under three kilo bar of pressure and by heating to ~500 °C and in the presence of alkali borosilicate fluid. It usually occurs in granite pegmatites alongside spodumene, lepidolite, feldspars, and tourmaline, and has a hardness of 6.5 on the Mohs scale. The pink stone is the most common variety of Petalite while the transparent variety is also known as Castorite.

The History of Petalite

Petalite got its name from the Greek word petalon (leaf), referring to the stone's cleavage. It was discovered by a Brazilian statesman and naturalist Jose Bonifacio de Andrada e Silva in 1800. The discovery of lithium was a result of petalite when Johann Arfvedson (Swedish druggist) found it when he was analyzing the mineral's ore. As for its industrial application, petalite in its raw form was for glass-ceramic cooking ware and ceramic glazes.

The Lore of Petalite

In crystal lore, petalite is described as a gentle, high-vibration stone that stands for a quiet, calm state of mind and heightened awareness. The pink variety of petalite is a heart chakra stone, while clear petalite is a symbol of clarity of thought.

The Metaphysical Properties of Petalite

In crystal lore, petalite is associated with clear speech and communication, and wearing it at the throat is part of throat chakra tradition. It is also linked with clairaudience, the idea of "hearing" angelic messages, which is why some people choose to wear it as earrings. In this tradition it stands for being able to describe clearly what you have heard and seen on your journey to the angelic realms.

Petalite is traditionally seen as a stone of calm self-love and self-acceptance, and a symbol of balance in romantic relationships and of a centred, calm point of view. People who like to carry a pocket stone often choose it as a reminder to focus on the task in front of them.