APOPHYLLITE.
Apophyllite is the crystal if you require some mental zen. This sparkling crystal will help soak up the negative vibes that surround you. Healers and crystal guides often use it to ground the spirit and radiate calming energy. It is a crystal for higher calling, tapping into your Crown Chakra it elevates your thinking to rise above the daily stresses so you can form clear visions.
Apophyllite was first discovered by R.J. Hauy in 1806. As it was a delicate crystal which crumbled when heated it was named after the Greek word for “leaf”. During this period the Industrial Revolution was consuming the world with its materialism and colonisation. Apophyllite's spiritual origin story tells that scholars of the teachings of Gaia believed that Mother Earth revealed Apophyllite to us to counteract this new industrial movement.
Apophyllite crystals are clear, white, green or yellowish clusters and are often found commercially with peach-coloured Stilbite. Some of the most beautiful Apophyllite crystals with amazing stalagmite structures are artisanally mined in India. Other regions where you can find Apophyllite are the UK, Australia, Brazil, Italy and the Czech Republic.
Gaias Stone
Pale green Apophyllite with Stilbite, India. If you are trying to buy green, buy much greener than this. Look for a minty colour, the greener the better.
Clear Apophyllite on a blue/grey druzy Chalcedony layer, India.
Peachy Stilbite with a couple of Apophyllite crystals stained with Hematite, Poona, India.
Buyer’s Guide to Apophyllite
Private Buyers
When I am buying Apophyllite I look for colour, clarity and damage. The rarest colour is green but a good transparent specimen always looks fantastic under spotlights. Check that all points are intact and that none are “wobbly”. Try to find the crystals with the clearest clarity (the most transparent). I am partial to a bit of soft peach Siltbite as part of the Apophyllite cluster, the complimenting colour and shapes works well. The best Apophyllite comes out of India and recently some great examples are secondary growth on a grey/blue Chalcedony (with druzy Quartz) base.
Retail Buyers
Buying apophyllite has become quite fun in recent years. Artisan miners in India are quite willing to take you on virtual mine tours via Instagram video chats, let you pick the pieces you want, and happy to show you the workers conditions (usually family). Often it is sold in job lots and you have to take all the pieces offered on the table, make sure you do a good scan and ask for clear photos. You generally pay on weight so make sure any of the larger pieces don’t contain huge amount of motherstone. Any stalactite formations can break during shipping so prepare yourself emotionally for some loss. The bluer the Chalcedony background the faster it will sell. If you have a physical retail store don’t put all your stock out at once as people get overwhelmed with choice stress when faced with all the sparkly options. A good haul will always sell well on an Instagram live.
A high-grade water clear Apophyllite cluster, India.
Quick Guide | Apophyllite
Zodiac: Apophyllite is associated with the zodiac signs Virgo and Gemini.
Ruling Planet: The ruling planet for Apophyllite is Earth.
Chakra: Apophyllite is associated with the Crown (Sahastrara) Chakra helping you to reach your higher calling.
Element: Apophyllite is aligned with the fifth element, Aether.
Crystal Charging: Apophyllite should be charged for a few minutes in a freshwater stream or overnight under a full moon. Apophyllite absorbs a lot of energy so smoke cleansing regularly is recommended.
Crystal Elixir: Apophyllite can be used for making crystal elixir as it is a hard silicate. However, it does have other elements in it and is relatively soft so only a short vibrational charging of a few minutes is advised.
Crystal Care: Apophyllite can be cleaned gently with warm soapy water or soft make-up brush. Be careful you do not dislodge any wobbly points. Apophyllite will melt if heated with a naked flame.
The chemical formula for Apophyllite: SiO₂ KCa₄.Si ₈O₂₀(F,OH)·8(H₂O)