Brazil
A rare mineral, petalite generally occurs in pastel yellow. It was discovered on the Swedish island of Ut Arfvedson by the Brazilian scientist, Jos Bonifacio de Andrada de Silva, while he was visiting Sweden towards the end of the 18th Century. The name "petalite" is derived from the Greek Petalon meaning 'leaf' and 'lithos' meaning stone referring to its leaf-like cleavage. The major sources for nice, transparent and facetable stones are Brazil and Namibia, with the present example coming from a Brazilian source. It owes its desirability to rarity, and definitely deserves a place in collections, especially in larger sizes. Any specimen that weighs above 2.0 carats is considered rather large. Whether used as a collection stone or mounted as jewelry (the hardness is 6-6.5), it is sure to be a great conversation starter. The present grouping is a natural rough crystal of petalite, of etched complex form, weighing approximately 9.40 carats and measuring 20.0 x 19.0 x 13.0mm; together with an octagonal-cut petalite, weighing approximately 5.74 carats and measuring 12.0 x 11.0 x 8.0mm