Mesolite - Reference.org

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Category Tectosilicate
Zeolite

Formula(repeating unit) Na2Ca2(Al2Si3O10)3·8H2O

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

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

Additional information

Mesolite

Zeolite mineral

Mesolite is a tectosilicate mineral with formula Na2Ca2Si9Al6O30·8H2O. It is a member of the zeolite group and the natrolite subgroup, also resembling natrolite in appearance.

Mesolite crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and typically forms fibrous, acicular prismatic crystals or masses. 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.

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Occurrence

It was first described in 1816 for an occurrence in the Cyclopean Islands near Catania, Sicily.³ From the Greek mesos, "middle", as its composition lies between natrolite and scolecite.⁴ ⁵ Like other zeolites, mesolite occurs as void fillings in amygdaloidal basalt also in andesites and hydrothermal veins.⁶

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References

Mindat.org http://www.mindat.org/show.php?id=2657&ld=1&pho= ↩
Handbook of Mineralogy http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/mesolite.pdf ↩
Webmineral data http://webmineral.com/data/Mesolite.shtml ↩
Mindat.org http://www.mindat.org/show.php?id=2657&ld=1&pho= ↩
Webmineral data http://webmineral.com/data/Mesolite.shtml ↩
Handbook of Mineralogy http://rruff.geo.arizona.edu/doclib/hom/mesolite.pdf ↩