Mineral Species: Mesolite

Chemical Formula: Na2Ca2(Al6Si9)O30.8H2O

Chemical Name: Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminium Silicate

Mineral Class: Zeolite Silicate

Mineral Notes: Mesolite is an intermediate member of a closely related series with Natrolite at one end and Scolecite on the other. Mesolite is often found in Igneous rocks where it often occurs as large individual crystals in pegmatites. More often it forms crystal sprays in vesicles in lavas. Otherwise it is an open structure Zeolite silicate allowing small ions to become trapped in the lattice. These often give Mesolite a large range of bright colours.

Description: Two forms of Mesolite on matrix. One side consists of a fan-shaped aggregate of thin acicular crystals. The other form is a mass of upright, needle-like crystals, standing up from the underlaying matrix. Both forms are white and highly lustrous.

Location: Bear Creek Quarry, Duran, Oregon, USA.