Mesolite from Bombay collected in the 18th century by Dr John Hunter
General
Category
Tectosilicate Zeolite
Formula (repeating unit)
Na2Ca2(Al2Si3O10)3·8H2O
IMA symbol
Mes[1]
Strunz classification
9.GA.05
Crystal system
Orthorhombic
Crystal class
Pyramidal (mm2) (same H-M symbol)
Space group
Fdd2
Unit cell
a = 18.4049(8) Å, b = 56.655(6) Å, c = 6.5443(4) Å; Z = 8
Identification
Color
Colorless, white, gray, yellowish brown
Crystal habit
As elongated prismatic crystals, commonly in hairlike tufts and aggregates of fibers; radiating compact masses; stalactitic; porcelaneous
Twinning
Characteristically twinned on {010} or {100}
Cleavage
Perfect on {110} and {110}
Fracture
Uneven
Tenacity
Brittle, masses tough
Mohs scale hardness
5
Luster
Vitreous, silky when fibrous
Streak
White
Diaphaneity
Transparent to translucent, opaque
Specific gravity
2.26
Optical properties
Biaxial (+)
Refractive index
nα = 1.505 nβ = 1.505 nγ = 1.505
Birefringence
δ = 0.001
2V angle
Measured: 80°
Other characteristics
May exhibit a small pyroelectric effect; piezoelectric
References
[2][3][4][5]
Mesolite is a tectosilicate mineral with formula Na2Ca2(Al2Si3O10)3·8H2O. It is a member of the zeolite group and is closely related to natrolite which it also resembles in appearance.
Mesolite crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and typically forms fibrous, acicular prismatic crystals or masses.[3] Radiating sprays of needlelike crystals are not uncommon. It is vitreous in luster and clear to white in color. It has a Mohs hardness of 5 to 5.5 and a low specific gravity of 2.2 to 2.4. The refractive indices are nα=1.505 nβ=1.505 nγ=1.506.
Mesolite is a tectosilicate mineral with formula Na2Ca2(Al2Si3O10)3·8H2O. It is a member of the zeolite group and is closely related to natrolite which...
isostructural (having the same structure) with the sodium-calcium zeolite mesolite and the sodium zeolite natrolite, but it does not form a continuous chemical...
alteration of dolerites. Associated minerals include prehnite, scolecite and mesolite. Its name comes from a Greek root "aerinos," meaning "atmosphere" or "sky...
tufts. The crystals are frequently epitaxial overgrowths of natrolite, mesolite, and gonnardite in various orders. Larger crystals most commonly have the...
of the cooling lavas. They include zeolite minerals such as chabazite, mesolite, stilbite, and heulandite, plus attractive quartz-related amethyst, agate...
(1823), and with Adolph Ferdinand Gehlen, was co-describer of the mineral mesolite (1816). A variety of muscovite called fuchsite commemorates his name. Über...
Belarus. First settlements in this region are dated back to the epoch of mesolite (9 – 5th centuries B.C.). Later, this area was inhabited by the Dregovichi...
occur in vesicles in the second flow. These include analcime, thomsonite, mesolite, chabazite, and others. Excellent specimens of the Table Mountain zeolites...
hosts a wide variety of zeolite minerals, including analcime, thomsonite, mesolite, chabazite, and others. The Denver Formation spans the Cretaceous-Paleogene...
Pectolites", April 1855, Philosophical Magazine, pp. 1–6 M. Forster Heddle "Mesolite and Faröelite (Mesole)", January 1857, Philosophical Magazine, pp. 1–6...
mostly of quartz, chalcedony or calcite, though zeolites, such as stilbite, mesolite and laumontite, are dominant towards Victoria Falls and in the lower Deka...
(tobermorite, gyrolite and xonotlite) and zeolites (aluminosilicates: laumontite, mesolite, thomsonite, and analcime) also found in neighbouring localities. It was...
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