Natrolite, Na2Al2Si3O10.2H2O (Sodium Aluminium Silicate), belongs to the Zeolite family of Silicates. Natrolite is one of three minerals of very similar habit, Scolecite, the Calcium equivalent, and Mesolite, of intermediate composition, being the others. Natrolite can form the large part of igneous rocks, and can occur as huge crystals in pegmatites which have been allowed to cool slowly.
Description
: Upon a grey matrix sits a crust of well-formed pink Natrolite crystals. These are extremely shiny and most are aggregated into small globular clusters. To one side of the Natrolite sits a number of overlapping Calcite prisms. The colour is white with a silk-like luster. The contrast between the Natrolite and Calcite is very attractive.
