Ivigtut , Arsuk Firth, Arsuk, Kitaa Province, Greenland

Type Location

4.8 x 4.3 x 3.7 cm

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Na₃[AlF₆]

A classic piece of Cryolite ore from the Ivigtut Cryolite mine with golden Chalcopyrite, Galena and brown colored Siderite . The Cryolite is the massive white material and was mined for Aluminum during World War II. The Cryolite is translucent and very nearly transparent where one thin section protrudes outward (see the last picture). This is particularly noteworthy because Cryolite has the same refractive index as water. When a clear piece of Cryolite is immersed in water, it disappears. Although I have had a few dozen pieces of this mineral over the years, all were opaque and the effect in water was not observable. However, on this particular specimen, the small nearly transparent section does become noticeably more transparent.

Condition: Fairly Good

Flaws: Essentially massive material with cleaved surfaces.

This mineral is also found in the following galleries: Minerals From Europe | Halides | Sulfides and Sulfosalts | Carbonates | Rare Minerals | Minerals Priced Between 50 and 99 Dollars