Prehnite

Translucent green grape clusters

Prehnite, a mineral specimen
Mineral

Prehnite is a calcium aluminum silicate mineral that typically forms botryoidal (grape-like) clusters in a distinctive pale green to yellow-green color. It was the first mineral to be named after a person — Colonel Hendrik Von Prehn, who brought specimens from South Africa to Europe in 1788.

Composition

calcium aluminum silicate hydroxide (Ca₂Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂)

Where Found

Brandberg (Namibia), Northern New Jersey (USA), Pune region (India), Mali, Malmberget (Sweden), New South Wales (Australia)

Mohs Hardness

6-6.5

Fun Fact

Prehnite holds the distinction of being the very first mineral named after a person in recorded history, setting a naming tradition that continues to this day.

Test Your Knowledge

What distinction does prehnite hold in the history of mineralogy?

Photo Attribution

Title: Prehnite-258743.jpg

Author: Robert M. Lavinsky

License: CC BY-SA 3.0

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