Afghanite Meaning and Properties
Afghanite History
Afghanite is a relative newcomer to the world of jewelry-making, as it was only discovered in 1968. And is Afghanite rare? Oh, yes—this mineral is as rare as it is complex, being a hydrous sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, sulfate, carbonate alumino-silicate. While Afghanite can be transparent and colorless, it is more commonly as opaque and blue as its closest relatives: lapis lazuli, lazurite and sodalite.
Afghanite was first identified in the Lapis-lazuli Mine, Sar-i Sang, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan, and was named after its country of origin. Mineralogists who came across Afghanite crystals were quick to note the stone’s striking blue appearance and crystalline properties, but it was frequently misidentified due to its visual similarities with other blue minerals in this geologically complex area.
Afghanite showcases bright sky blue, deep-sea navy and every shade in between—along with bits of white, grey or colorless materials. In the past, this mingled blue and white appearance meant it was confused with denim lapis and sodalite. However, Afghanite exhibits a fascinating property those other stones do not: the non-blue parts of this gemstone are UV-reactive, fluorescing a creamy pumpkin orange under longwave UV light.
What are the Metaphysical Properties of Afghanite?
Afghanite does not boast the centuries of deep and intricate lore that more famous gemstones possess. However, along with similar color and chemical composition, it shares many of the metaphysical properties of its cousins lapis lazuli and sodalite.
Afghanite is associated with the crown and third eye chakras and gemstone healing practitioners say it brings the two chakras into alignment, strengthening intuition and emotional understanding. It's believed to have the ability to soothe the spirit—easing grief, lifting mood, releasing anger, lessening insomnia and relieving stress. Practitioners have used Afghanite to strengthen bones and muscles, as well as improve overall physical health.
This blue-and-white mineral is associated with the western astrological sign Scorpio. In feng shui, it is thought to possess water energy.
What is Afghanite Made From?
Chemically, Afghanite very similar to lazurite and gets its color from the same elements and components. The mineral is composed predominantly of sodium, calcium, aluminum, silica and a range of trace elements. These trace elements are the source of Afghanite’s striking range of blues, creams and translucency— reminiscent of a tropical ocean—that give the stone much of its allure.
The stone comes in a variety of forms as well: long prismatic Afghanite crystals, double-terminated bipyramid crystals or as Afghanite gemstone crusts coating a matrix (usually made of calcite or marble).
Afghanistan remains the primary source for Afghanite, with smaller deposits found in Germany, Italy, the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan, near Lake Baikal in Siberia and eastern Canada—plus multiple locations in the United States: New York, California, Montana and Colorado. The material from these other deposits infrequently display the same level of quality found in the original mines, however, and Afghanistan’s deposit remains the primary source for higher grades in larger quantities.
- Mineral Information: Hydrous sodium aluminum silicate, cancrinite group, feldspathoid
- Chemical Composition: (Na,K)22Ca10[Si24Al24O96](SO4)6Cl6
- Color: Dark blue, light blue, cream, white
- Hardness: 5-1/2 to 6 (Mohs)
- Specific Gravity: 2.55 to 2.65
- Refractive Index: 1.522 to 1.533
How Do You Clean Afghanite?
Afghanite rests in the middle of the Mohs Hardness Scale, harder than malachite but softer than quartzes like amethyst. This mineral—with its calcite content—is highly sensitive to household cleaners, perfumes, perspiration, abrasives, pressure and heat. Do not leave Afghanite in direct sunlight, as sun bleaching of its blues can occur.
Afghanite’s moderate durability requires some care when cutting, setting or wearing. As this stone is a complex mix of a wide range of elements and materials, it is susceptible to impact. Jewelry made with Afghanite should be removed before participating in sports or other strenuous physical activity.
When cleaning Afghanite, jewelry makers need to avoid ultrasound and steam cleaners, as they will damage the stone. Clean Afghanite with mild soap, warm water and a soft cotton cloth—avoid brushes. Rinse thoroughly, then pat dry. Store in a separate bag or box where it can neither scratch nor be scratched by other jewelry.
Designing with Afghanite
Jewelry makers who love blue gravitate to the wide range of blue shades seen in Afghanite. This material offers designers the opportunity to design in a medley of related hues using sterling silver with blue gemstones such as angelite, blue lace agate, dumortierite. For a bold contrast, Afghanite really struts its stuff when strung with sunstone, hessonite, raw copper and precious gold.
Afghanite characteristically has white, cream or translucent inclusions. These are the areas of the stone which fluoresce under longwave UV light, turning a creamy pumpkin orange that looks fabulous with uranium glass.
With its sensitivity to impact and even mild acids such as perspiration, Afghanite is best used in necklaces and earrings.
**Please note that all metaphysical or healing properties listed are collected from various sources. This information is offered as a service and not meant to treat medical conditions. Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® does not guarantee the validity of any of these statements.
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