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Clinoptilolite

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Whitianga Quarry (309 Road Quarry; McCleods Quarry), Whitianga, Thames-Coromandel, Waikato, North Island, New Zealand

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Hardness:3½ - 4
Synonym of:Clinoptilolite-Ca, Clinoptilolite-K, Clinoptilolite-Na


Note on the distinguishing differences between clinoptilolite and heulandite (http://www.mineralogicalassociation.ca/doc/abstracts/ima98/ima98(13).pdf ):

"Zeolite mineral species shall not be distinguished solely on the basis of the framework Si : Al ratio. An exception is made in the case of heulandite and clinoptilolite; heulandite is defined as the zeolite mineral series having the distinctive framework topology of heulandite and the ratio Si : Al < 4.0. Clinoptilolite is defined as the series with the same framework topology and Si : Al ≥ 4.0.

Application of the rule
Many zeolites have a widely variable Si : Al ratio, but this, in itself, is not regarded as providing adequate grounds for recognition of separate species. The exception is based on entrenched usage of the names heulandite and clinoptilolite, and their convenience for recognizing an important chemical feature. The cutoff value adopted (following Boles 1972) is arbitrary in a continuous range of compositions. The usual 50% compositional rule cannot be applied, as there are no clearly defined Si,Al end-member compositions for heulandite and clinoptilolite. Thermal stability has been used by some investigators to distinguish clinoptilolite from heulandite. This is a derivative property, however, suggested by Mumpton (1960) as an aid to identification, and it is not appropriate as the basis for definition. Alietti (1972) and Boles (1972) have shown that there is no gap in composition either in framework or extra-framework cation contents between heulandite and clinoptilolite, and that samples transitional in composition show intermediate properties in terms of thermal stability.

Clinoptilolite:
The cation content is highly variable. Ca-, Na-, and K-dominant compositions are known, and Sr, Ba, and Mg are in some cases substantial. TSi in the range 0.80–0.84. Minerals with the same framework topology but with TSi < 0.80, Si/Al < 4.0 are classified as heulandite, with which clinoptilolite forms a continuous series. Monoclinic, C2/m, or C2, or Cm.

Heulandite:
The cation content is highly variable. Ca-, Na-, K-, and Sr-dominant compositions are known, and Ba and Mg are in some cases substantial. TSi in the range 0.71 to 0.80."

Classification of Clinoptilolite

Dana 8th edition ID:77.1.4.2

77 : TECTOSILICATES Zeolites
1 : Zeolite group - True zeolites
Hey's CIM Ref.:16.10.18

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
10 : Aluminosilicates of Ca and alkalis
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Physical Properties of Clinoptilolite

Hardness (Mohs):3½ - 4

Optical Data of Clinoptilolite

Type:Biaxial (+/-)
RI values: nα = 1.476 - 1.491 nβ = 1.479 - 1.493 nγ = 1.479 - 1.497
2V:Measured: 31° to 48°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.003 - 0.006

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:r > v to r < v strong

Relationship of Clinoptilolite to other Species

Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
16.10.1Bytownite
(Ca,Na)[Al(Al,Si)Si
 
2
O
 
8
]
16.10.2Lisetite
CaNa
 
2
Al
 
4
Si
 
4
O
 
16
16.10.4Thomsonite-Ca
NaCa
 
2
Al
 
5
Si
 
5
O
 
20
 · 6H
 
2
O
16.10.5Gonnardite
(Na,Ca)
 
2
(Si,Al)
 
5
O
 
10
 · 3H
 
2
O
16.10.6Mesolite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
2
Si
 
9
Al
 
6
O
 
30
 · 8H
 
2
O
16.10.7Faujasite
16.10.8Garronite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
5
Al
 
12
Si
 
20
O
 
64
 · 27H
 
2
O
16.10.9Boggsite
Ca
 
8
Na
 
3
(Si,Al)
 
96
O
 
192
 · 70H
 
2
O
16.10.10Herschelite
16.10.11Phillipsite
16.10.12Fedorite
(Na,K)
 
2-3
(Ca
 
4
Na
 
3
)Si
 
16
O
 
38
F
 
2
 · 3.5H
 
2
O
16.10.13Willhendersonite
KCa[Al
 
3
Si
 
3
O
 
12
] · 5H
 
2
O
16.10.14Barrerite
(Na,K,Ca
 
0.5
)
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
7
O
 
18
] · 7H
 
2
O
16.10.15Mordenite
(Na
 
2
,Ca,K
 
2
)Al
 
2
Si
 
10
O
 
24
 · 7H
 
2
O
16.10.16Reyerite
(Na,K)
 
2
Ca
 
14
(Si,Al)
 
24
O
 
58
(OH)
 
8
 · 6H
 
2
O
16.10.17Lévyne
16.10.19Heulandite
16.10.20Gobbinsite
Na
 
4
(Ca,Mg,K
 
2
)Al
 
6
Si
 
10
O
 
32
 · 12H
 
2
O
16.10.21Stilbite
16.10.22Dachiardite
16.10.23Offretite
KCaMgAl
 
5
Si
 
13
O
 
36
 · 16H
 
2
O or near
16.10.24Perlialite
K
 
9
Na(Ca,Sr)[Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
]
 
6
 · 15H
 
2
O
16.10.25Erionite
16.10.26Paulingite
16.10.27Sodium Dachiardite
(Na
 
2
,Ca,K
 
2
)
 
4-5
Al
 
8
Si
 
40
O
 
96
 · 26H
 
2
O
16.10.28Mazzite-Mg
K
 
2
Mg
 
2
Ca
 
1.5
Al
 
9.5
Si
 
26.5
O
 
72
 · 28H
 
2
O or near
16.10.29Roggianite
Ca
 
2
Be(OH)
 
2
Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
13
 · 2.5H
 
2
O

Other Names for Clinoptilolite

Other Languages:
German:Klinoptilolith
Natron-Heulandit
Russian:Клиноптилолит
Simplified Chinese:斜发沸石
Spanish:Clinoptilolita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Clinoptilolite

Reference List:

- +
Hey, M.H. & F.A. Bannister (1934): Clinoptilolite. Min. Mag. 23, 556-559.

Mumpton, F.A. (1960): Clinoptilolite redefined: Am. Min. 45, 351-369.

Alietti, A. (1972): Polymorphism and crystal chemistry of heulandite and Clinoptilolite. Am. Min. 57, 1448-1462.

Koyama, K. & Y. Takeuchi (1977): Clinoptilolite: The distribution of potassium atoms and its role in thermal stability. Zeits. Kristallogr. 145, 216-239.

Armbruster, T. (1993): Dehydration mechanism of clinoptilolite and heulandite: Single-crystal X-ray study of Na-poor, Ca-, K-, Mg-rich clinoptilolite at 100K. American Mineralogist 78, 260-264.

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