The chemical formula of mineral Amblygonite is indicated by (Li, Na) AlPO4 (F, OH) or Lithium Sodium Aluminum Phosphate Fluoride Hydroxide. Amblygonite is actually a Phosphate mineral. Amblygonite can be easily confused with Quartz and Albeit and other host rocks members. The name Amblygonite originated from a Greek words amblus which means blunt and gouia which means angle. This property of Amblygonite minerals is very different from that of quartz whose cleavage is absent and that of Albite whose cleavages are found in two different at nearly 90-degree angles, when viewed under geological polarizing light microscopes. This is relative to obtuse angle between the cleavages of the mineral, which can be found with the aid of petrographic polarizing microscope. Amblygonite was first discovered in Saxony in the year 1817. The mineral was discovered and named by August Breithaupt. Amblygonite is known to crystallize in the triclinic crystal system. In optical mineralogy, this triclinic crystal system commonly comprises crystals having three axes, of which all are unequal in length and are positioned oblique to one another.
Amblygonite is usually found displaying white or creamy color under petrographic polarizing light microscopes for mineralogists. It can be also found exhibiting a pale yellow or colorless appearance if prepared in thin section. Possible other hues may be found exhibited by Amblygonite under polarizing microscopes are blue, gray, green, beige, or pink. Amblygonite is most commonly found exhibiting a moderate surface relief when it is evaluated under minor adjustments on the aperture diaphragm of petrographic polarizing microscope. Amblygonite is found to have no less than four different cleavages in different directions and at non-right angles from one another when evaluated with the aid of polarizing light microscopes for geologists. Cleavages may be found perfect in one direction, good in two other directions, and only distinct in the other one direction. Amblygonite mineral usually show vitreous to greasy luster if viewed in reflected light of polarizing microscopes used in optical mineralogy. The luster shown on cleavage planes is usually pearly. The specific gravity measure of Amblygonite is approximately 2.98 grams per cubic centimeters to 3.11 grams per cubic centimeters, which is considered slightly above average. The hardness measure of the mineral Amblygonite when it is evaluated using the Mohs scale method is usually found ranging from 5.5 to 6. Amblygonite is most commonly found leaving a white streak when it is rubbed on a white porcelain streak plate. It is known to have brittle tenacity. Some specimens of Amblygonite are fluorescent orange in long-wave ultraviolet light.
Amblygonite mineral specimens are usually found translucent to less commonly transparent in appearance. Amblygonite is most commonly found exhibiting a biaxial negative figure when closely evaluated between crossed nicols of polarized microscopes used in optical mineralogy. Amblygonite usually includes short prismatic crystals as described in optical mineralogy. Amblygonite crystal shapes appear like slender prisms when viewed under polarized light microscope. These crystals can also exhibit lath-like shaped or sometimes tabular formations that are often more clearly under polarizing light microscope for geologists. However, Amblygonite crystals are more commonly found as anhedral masses and compact grains that can also show interesting microscope images under polarizing microscopes used in optical mineralogy. They sometimes occur as well-formed crystals showing good external forms when viewed under polarized microscopes. Twinned Amblygonite crystals are elongated in form and are often flattened when found under polarizing microscopes for geologists. They may also appear like formed columns. Sometimes lamellar twinning can also be found.
Amblygonite is a primary mineral often found in lithium and phosphate rich pegmatites. It occurs in lithium-bearing minerals in pegmatite veins. Geologic occurrence is in granite pegmatites, high-pressure tin veins and greisens. Gem quality Amblygonite is mined in regions formerly known as Burma and in some areas in Brazil and in many other places. These gemstones exhibit attractive color of yellow with relatively low index of refraction on par with topaz and tourmaline and much higher than beryl or quartz. The chief commercial sources have historically been the deposits of California and France.
