Agalmatolite is a traditional name for a soft, fine-grained variety of pyrophyllite (Al₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂), historically prized for carving. It is not a formally recognized modern mineral species but rather a trade or cultural term, especially in East Asia.
🌍 Origins and Naming
- Name Origin: From Greek agalma (“statue, image”) + -lite (“stone”), meaning “image stone.”
- Historical Use: Widely used in China and Japan for carving figurines, seals, and ornaments.
- Synonym: Essentially refers to pyrophyllite, a soft aluminum silicate mineral.
🔬 Chemical and Structural Properties (Pyrophyllite / Agalmatolite)
- Formula: Al₂Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
- Mineral Group: Phyllosilicates (layer silicates)
- Crystal System: Monoclinic or triclinic
- Color: White, gray, green, yellow, or reddish depending on impurities
- Habit: Massive, compact, fine-grained; rarely crystalline
- Hardness: 1–2 on Mohs scale (very soft, easily carved)
- Specific Gravity: ~2.65–2.85
- Luster: Greasy to pearly
- Streak: White
⚙️ Geological Occurrence
Agalmatolite (pyrophyllite) forms in:
- Metamorphic rocks (especially from hydrothermal alteration of alumino-silicates)
- Quartz-rich schists and slates
- Deposits: China, Korea, Japan, USA, and Brazil
🏺 Cultural and Artistic Significance
- Carving Stone: Used for seals, figurines, and small sculptures due to its softness.
- Chinese Tradition: Known as “figure stone” or “image stone,” often carved into intricate ornaments.
- Comparison: Softer than jade, but valued for its ease of carving and smooth finish.
📖 Conclusion
Agalmatolite is essentially pyrophyllite in carving-grade form, historically treasured in East Asia for artistic and ornamental purposes. While not a distinct mineral species today, its cultural legacy as a “statue stone” remains strong.
In short: Agalmatolite = carving-grade pyrophyllite, a soft stone used for seals and figurines.
