astrophyllite
|as-tro-phil-lite|
/ˌæs.trəˈfɪl.aɪt/
star-leaf mineral
Etymology
'astrophyllite' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'astron' and 'phyllon', and the suffix '-ite'; where 'astron' meant 'star', 'phyllon' meant 'leaf', and '-ite' (Greek 'ites') was used to form names of minerals or stones.
'astrophyllite' was coined in modern mineralogical terminology by combining Greek roots 'astron' + 'phyllon' with the mineral-forming suffix '-ite' and has been used since the 19th century to name the species recognized by geologists and collectors.
Initially it literally meant 'star-leaf stone' (describing the star- or leaf-like appearance of its crystal aggregates); over time it became the fixed technical name for this specific mineral species.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a rare brown to black, tabular or radiating crystal mineral — a complex hydrous potassium, sodium, iron, manganese, titanium silicate — typically found in igneous pegmatites; noted for its metallic to submetallic luster and leaf- or star-like crystal aggregates.
Specimens of astrophyllite are prized by collectors for their striking bronze to black radiating crystal clusters.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/08 16:45