Aheylite is a rare phosphate mineral with formula (Fe2+Zn)Al6[(OH)4|(PO4)2]2·4(H2O). It occurs as pale blue to pale green triclinic crystal masses.[2] Aheylite was made the newest member of the turquoise group in 1984 by International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names.
The turquoise group has a basic formula of A0–1B6(PO4)4−x(PO3OH)x(OH)8·4H2O. This group contains five other minerals. In addition to aheylite: planerite, turquoise, faustite, chalcosiderite, and an unnamed Fe2+-Fe3+ analogue. Aheylite is distinguished in this group by having Fe2+ dominant in the A-site. The ideal aheylite has a formula of Fe2+Al6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O. Its color is pale blue or green. With turquoise family the blue color is said to come from the octahedral coordination of Cu2+ in the absence of Fe3+.[5]
It was first described for an occurrence in the Huanuni mine, Huanuni, Oruro Department, Bolivia, and named for Allen V. Heyl (1918–2008), an economic geologist for the United States Geological Survey.[3] It was discovered by Eugene Foord and Joseph Taggart.[5]
In addition to the type locality in Bolivia it has been reported from the Bali Lo prospect in the Capricorn Range, Western Australia[2] and the Les Montmins Mine, Auvergne, France.[3]It is a turquoise group mineral and occurs as a late hydrothermal phase in a tin deposit associated with variscite, vivianite, wavellite, cassiterite, sphalerite, pyrite and quartz in the type locality.[2][4]
It is found as an isolated mass of hemispheres and spheres clumped together. It has a vitreous to dull luster. It has a hackly to splintery fracture and it has a brittle tenacity. The hardness is about 5–5.5, and the specific gravity is 2.84. As far as optical properties, it had thin flakes; ipale blue, green to blue-green color; it streaks white, and has a subvitreous luster.[5]