Astrophyllite’s name is derived from Greek words astron meaning star and phyllon meaning leaf because of its shimmering, leafy star aggregate. It is a rare mineral found only in a few scarce, distant localities with some of the finest crystals coming from remote mountainous regions in arctic northern Russia. Due to its spiny structure and the fact that it is found inside other minerals, astrophyllite is very difficult to retrieve. However, the best specimens display distinct, extraordinary copper-hued blades, often against a light matrix for a dramatic and contrasting look.