Meliphanite: Gemstone Information

Meliphanite is (Ca,Na)2Be(Si,Al)2(O,F)7 and forms colourless or lemon yellow transparent thin tabular crystals of the tetragonal system. The hardness is 5.5 and the SG 3.01–3.03. The RI for the ordinary and extraordinary rays is 1.593 and 1.613, uniaxial positive with birefringence 0.019. Meliphanite is found in augite syenite, largely from sites in Norway, including the Langesundsfjord and also from the Kola Peninsula, Russia.