Name/Title
Mesolite on LaumontiteEntry/Object ID
2004.1.88Description
Chemical Composition: Na2Ca2Al6Si9O30 - 8H2O
Crystal System: Monoclinic System
Description: Common Name: Mesolite / Laumontite
Group Name: Zeolities
Chemistry: Na2Ca2Al6Si9O30 - 8H2O / CaAl2SiO12*4H2O
Location: Wagholi, Pune District, India
Description::White with giant puffballs.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is clear or white.
Luster is vitreous.
Transparency: crystals are transparent to translucent.
Crystal System is monoclinic; 2/m
Crystal Habits include sprays of needle thin acicular crystals with a slanted domal termination. Also nodules, fibrous and earthy masses.
Cleavage is perfect in two directions, prismatic. Cleavage is rarely seen due to small crystal size.
Fracture is conchoidal to uneven.
Hardness is 5 - 5.5.
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.2 - 2.4 (very light)
Streak is white.
Other Characteristics: Masses can have a chatoyant (cat's eye) effect.
Associated Minerals are quartz, apophyllite, datolite, heulandite, stilbite and other zeolites. .
Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, density and associations.
Fracture: conchoidal
Hardness: 5 Apatite
Luster: Vitreous
Occurrence: Notable Occurrences include Poona, India; Giants Causeway, Ireland; Skye, Scotland; Colorado, New Jersey and Oregon, USA and Berufjord, Iceland
Specific Gravity: 2.2-2.4
Streak: white
Variety: Mesolite, a sodium calcium zeolite, is intermediate between natrolite, a sodium zeolite, and scolecite, a calcium zeolite. They are closely related and sometimes found together. The presence of calcium in two of the minerals slightly alters the structure from that of natrolite from an orthorhombic symmetry to a monoclinic symmetry. Although twinning of scolecite and mesolite often make them look orthorhombic The three minerals are referred to as "chain" or "needle" zeolites. They are similar and hard to distinguish when in clusters with radiating, acicular habits. Natrolite forms thinner crystals with pyramidal terminations, and mesolite's fiber-like crystals are usually the thinnest crystals of the three minerals. Scolecite's larger crystals tend to be more robust and durable. These characteristics are only generalities and can not be used as dependable identifying traits. Absolute identification can not be made by ordinary means.Collection
Suomynona Mineral Collection, Suomynona CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2004.1Source or Donor
Suomynona Mineral CollectionAcquisition Method
DonationDimensions
Height
6 inWidth
4-1/2 inLength
7 inWeight
4.62 ozDimension Notes
Dimension taken at widest pointsLocation
Location
Display Case
DS-6Room
Delmar Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
PermanentMoved By
Curtis GardnerDate
May 24, 2023Notes
Added current locationLocation
* Untyped Location
Needs Updated Location - 2022Category
PermanentMoved By
Lehman R.Date
August 26, 2009Location
Drawer
bottom tierShelf
east side, east sideWall
northHallway
Discovery HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
PermanentMoved By
Wendy MondryDate
August 26, 2009Location
Container
RightDrawer
Top ShelfShelf
CenterCabinet
Case# 41Wall
SouthRoom
Delmar Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
Permanent
