Pentagonite

Pentagonite – CaV4+OSi4O10·4H2O
Class: Silicates – Phyllosilicates
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Hardness: 3-4
Fluorite
Talc (1)Diamond (10)
Softer than glass. A steel knife scratches it.
Origin: Wagholi, Poona – India
Did you know?

Pentagonite is named for a shape crystals are not supposed to make. Its crystals twin into a star with an apparent five-fold symmetry, a symmetry forbidden to any single crystal. Close study in 2025 showed the star is really built from six individuals, not five, an illusion of fives made from sixes.