Apophyllite, KCa4Si8O20(F,OH).8H2O (Hydrated Potassium Calcium Sodium Silicate Fluoride Hydroxide), whose name means "to leaf apart" in Greek, is a mineral classic. It was given its name because crystals tend to peel or flake apart when they are heated due to the loss of water. Although not that well-known by the general public, Apophyllite is quite popular among mineral collectors.

Description: It is almost too difficult to describe the attractiveness of this specimen. It consists of a mass of fused green Apophyllite upon which sit hundreds of perfectly formed, glassy, transparent crystals. There is a mixture of cubic and hexagonal cross-sections. Nearly all have sharp terminations and edges. When illuminated this can easily form the centre piece of a collection.

Location: Nassik Quarry, Poona, India.