

The name of the aegirine was given in 1835 by Jons Jakob Berzelius (sweedish doctor and chemist), from the scandinavian mythology after Aegir (giant sea lord), referring to the mineral’s location near the sea (Rundemyr, Ovre Eiker, Buskerud, Norway). The aegirine was discovered previously, but this time it was named acmite (after the appearance of its crystals from the greek word ’acme’ meaning peak). The aegirine primarily occurs in volcanic and metamorphic rocks syenite, pegmatites and gneiss. It has lengthened lengthwise streaked, prismatic, spear shaped, spiky, fibrous, often twinned crystals. Localities: Norway, Malawi, Canada, Russia, Greenland, USA, Scotland etc.