Apophyllite
Definition
A group of minerals from the silicate class (specifically hydrated potassium calcium phyllosilicates containing fluorine), characterized by transparent or white tetragonal or pseudo-cubic crystals with a pronounced pearly or vitreous luster; a mineral belonging to this group. Its name derives from its specific tendency to exfoliate into flakes when heated under a blowpipe due to the loss of crystallization water.
Bilingual Equivalents
- Apophyllite
- Fish-eye stone
Grammatical & Source Details
| Inflection Type | Neuter noun with standard plural and case inflections, utilized frequently in earth science nomenclatures. |
| Formation | Borrowed via French 'apophyllite', rooted in Ancient Greek 'apo' (away from) and 'phyllon' (leaf), describing its flaky desiccation. |
| Spelling / Pronunciation | [a.po.fi.ˈlit] |
| Source | Systematic Mineralogy Handbook, Crystallographic Indexes, and Geochemical Surveys |
Contextual Usage Examples
RO: Geologul a descoperit un eșantion superb de apofilit verde în geodele de basalt din acea regiune muntoasă.
EN: The geologist discovered a superb sample of green apophyllite within the basalt geodes of that mountainous region.
RO: Datorită clivajului perfect pe o singură direcție, acest apofilit se sparge extrem de ușor dacă este lovit.
EN: Due to its perfect cleavage in one direction, this apophyllite breaks extremely easily if struck.
RO: Analiza prin difracție cu raze X a confirmat prezența unor incluziuni de apofilit în roca magmatică colectată.
EN: X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the presence of apophyllite inclusions within the collected magmatic rock.
Idioms & Phrases
Apofilit verde / Green apophyllite
RO: Varietate rară și foarte căutată de colecționari, a cărei culoare este determinată de urmele fine de fier sau vanadiu.
EN: A rare variety highly sought after by collectors, whose color is determined by trace amounts of iron or vanadium.
Structură de apofilit / Apophyllite structure / phyllosilicate sheet
RO: Aranjament cristalin specific format din straturi alternante de tetraedre de siliciu și oxigen legate prin ioni de calciu.
EN: A specific crystalline arrangement consisting of alternating sheets of silicon-oxygen tetrahedra linked by calcium ions.
Exfoliere de apofilit / Apophyllite exfoliation / thermal flaking
RO: Fenomen fizic prin care mineralul își pierde luciul și se desface în foițe subțiri sub acțiunea directă a căldurii.
EN: A physical phenomenon whereby the mineral loses its luster and flakes into thin sheets under the direct action of heat.
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