Uniquely Zoned Apophyllite Crystals With Stilbite - India

This is a very interesting association of pseudo-cubic Apophyllite crystals with Stilbite from Inida. The two large Apophyllite crystals display some very interesting zoning with bands of colors ranging from apple green at the base to clear at the top of the crystals. The entire matrix is 2.8x1.8" and the largest Apophyllite crystal is 1.2" tall.

This specimen comes from the Deccan Traps, a large igneous province and one of the largest volcanic features on Earth, near the city of Pune in western India. As miners quarry for other materials or dig wells, they sometimes unearth large pockets of zeolites and other minerals in the volcanic rock.

Stilbite is probably the most common zeolite found in these deposits. Crystals often form flowery, bowtie. or hourglass-shaped structures and come in a variety of colors. Some of the most beautiful colorations are the pink or peach tints. While not a zeolite itself, apophyllite is almost always found associated with zeolites in the same pockets. It has two crystal habits: a rectangular prism capped by a steep four-sided pyramid, or a pseudo-cubic structure. While not a well-known mineral to the general public, it is popular among mineral collectors due to its pastel colors and beautiful crystal formations.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Apophyllite & Stilbite
LOCATION
India
SIZE
2.8x1.8", Largest crystal 1.2"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#34064