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Stilbite

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Millington Quarry (Morris County Crushed Stone Co. Quarry; Tilcon Quarry), Bernards Township, Somerset Co., New Jersey, USA
© 2003 John H. Betts

Show Stilbite Photos (1587)



Colour:WhiteHardness:3½ - 4
Member of:Zeolite Group
Name:From Greek "stilbein", to glitter of shine, or "stilbe", a mirror, alluding to its pearly or vitreous luster.
Synonym of:Stilbite-Ca, Stilbite-Na


This name now refers to the minerals Stilbite-Ca and Stilbite-Na.
Stilbite is easily confused with stellerite.

Classification of Stilbite

Hey's CIM Ref.:16.10.21

16 : Silicates Containing Aluminum and other Metals
10 : Aluminosilicates of Ca and alkalis
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3785.html
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Physical Properties of Stilbite

Lustre:Vitreous, Pearly
Colour:White
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):3½ - 4
Density (measured):2.18 - 2.2 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.23 g/cm3

Crystallography of Stilbite

Crystal Atlas:
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Stilbite no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Stilbite no.6 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

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Optical Data of Stilbite

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.479 - 1.492 nβ = 1.485 - 1.500 nγ = 1.489 - 1.505
2V:Measured: 22° to 79°, Calculated: 76° to 78°
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.010 - 0.013

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Moderate
Dispersion:weak

Relationship of Stilbite to other Species

Member of:Zeolite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Amicite
K
 
2
Na
 
2
Al
 
4
Si
 
4
O
 
16
 · 5H
 
2
O
Ammonioleucite
(NH
 
4
,K)(AlSi
 
2
O
 
6
)
Analcime
Na
 
2
(Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
) · 2H
 
2
O
Barrerite
(Na,K,Ca
 
0.5
)
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
7
O
 
18
] · 7H
 
2
O
Bellbergite
(K,Ba,Sr)
 
2
Sr
 
2
Ca
 
2
(Ca,Na)
 
4
[Al
 
3
Si
 
3
O
 
12
]
 
6
 · 30H
 
2
O
Bikitaite
LiAlSi
 
2
O
 
6
 · H
 
2
O
Boggsite
Ca
 
8
Na
 
3
(Si,Al)
 
96
O
 
192
 · 70H
 
2
O
Brewsterite
Brewsterite-Ba
(Ba,Sr)[Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
16
] · 5H
 
2
O
Brewsterite-Sr
(Sr,Ba,Ca)[Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
16
] · 5H
 
2
O
Chabazite
Chabazite-Ca
(Ca,K
 
2
,Na
 
2
)
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
]
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
Chabazite-K
(K
 
2
,Ca,Na
 
2
,Sr,Mg)
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
]
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
Chabazite-Levyne Subgroup
Chabazite-Mg
(Mg
 
0.7
K
 
0.5
Ca
 
0.5
Na
 
0.1
)[Al
 
3
Si
 
9
O
 
24
]·10H
 
2
O
Chabazite-Na
(Na
 
2
,K
 
2
,Ca,Sr,Mg)
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
]
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
Chabazite-Sr
Sr
 
2
[Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
]
 
2
 · 12H
 
2
O
Chiavennite
CaMnBe
 
2
Si
 
5
O
 
13
(OH)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
Clinoptilolite-Ca
(Ca,Na,K)
 
2-3
Al
 
3
(Al,Si)
 
2
Si
 
13
O
 
36
 · 12H
 
2
O
Clinoptilolite-K
(K,Na,Ca)
 
2-3
Al
 
3
(Al,Si)
 
2
Si
 
13
O
 
36
 · 12H
 
2
O
Clinoptilolite-Na
(Na,K,Ca)
 
2-3
Al
 
3
(Al,Si)
 
2
Si
 
13
O
 
36
 · 12H
 
2
O
Cowlesite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
 · 6H
 
2
O
Dachiardite-Ca
(Ca,Na
 
2
,K
 
2
)
 
5
Al
 
10
Si
 
38
O
 
96
 · 25H
 
2
O
Dachiardite-Na
(Na
 
2
,Ca,K
 
2
)
 
5
Al
 
10
Si
 
38
O
 
96
 · 25H
 
2
O
Direnzoite
NaK
 
6
MgCa
 
2
(Al
 
13
Si
 
47
O
 
120
) · 36H
 
2
O
Edingtonite
Ba[Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
] · 4H
 
2
O
Epistilbite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
16
 · 5H
 
2
O
Erionite
Erionite-Ca
(Ca,K
 
2
,Na
 
2
)
 
2
[Al
 
4
Si
 
14
O
 
36
] · 15H
 
2
O
Erionite-K
(K
 
2
,Ca,Na
 
2
)
 
2
[Al
 
4
Si
 
14
O
 
36
] · 15H
 
2
O
Erionite-Na
(Na
 
2
,K
 
2
,Ca)
 
2
[Al
 
4
Si
 
14
O
 
36
] · 15H
 
2
O
Faujasite Subgroup
Faujasite-Ca
(Ca,Na
 
2
,Mg)
 
3.5
[Al
 
7
Si
 
17
O
 
48
] · 32H
 
2
O
Faujasite-Mg
(Mg,Na
 
2
,Ca)
 
3.5
[Al
 
7
Si
 
17
O
 
48
] · 32H
 
2
O
Faujasite-Na
(Na
 
2
,Ca,Mg)
 
3.5
[Al
 
7
Si
 
17
O
 
48
] · 32H
 
2
O
Ferrierite
Ferrierite-K
(K
 
2
,Na
 
2
,Mg,Ca)
 
3-5
Mg[Al
 
5-7
Si
 
27.5-31
O
 
72
] · 18H
 
2
O
Ferrierite-Mg
(Mg,Na
 
2
,K
 
2
,Ca)
 
3-5
Mg[Al
 
5-7
Si
 
27.5-31
O
 
72
] · 18H
 
2
O
Ferrierite-Na
(Na
 
2
,K
 
2
,Mg,Ca)
 
3-5
Mg[Al
 
5-7
Si
 
27.5-31
O
 
72
] · 18H
 
2
O
Flörkeite
(K
 
3
Ca
 
2
Na)[Al
 
8
Si
 
8
O
 
32
] · 12H
 
2
O
Garronite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
5
Al
 
12
Si
 
20
O
 
64
 · 27H
 
2
O
Gaultite
Na
 
4
Zn
 
2
Si
 
7
O
 
18
 · 5H
 
2
O
Gismondine
Gismondine-Ba
Ba
 
2
Al
 
4
Si
 
4
O
 
16
 · 4-6H
 
2
O
Gismondine-Ca
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
 · 4H
 
2
O
Gmelinite
Gmelinite-Ca
(Ca,Na
 
2
)[Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
] · 6H
 
2
O
Gmelinite-K
(K
 
2
,Na
 
2
,Ca)[Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
] · 6H
 
2
O
Gmelinite-Na
(Na
 
2
,Ca)[Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
] · 6H
 
2
O
Gobbinsite
Na
 
4
(Ca,Mg,K
 
2
)Al
 
6
Si
 
10
O
 
32
 · 12H
 
2
O
Gonnardite
(Na,Ca)
 
2
(Si,Al)
 
5
O
 
10
 · 3H
 
2
O
Goosecreekite
Ca[Al
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
16
] · 5H
 
2
O
Gottardiite
Na
 
3
Mg
 
3
Ca
 
5
Al
 
19
Si
 
117
O
 
272
 · 93H
 
2
O
Harmotome
(Ba
 
0.5
,Ca
 
0.5
,K,Na)
 
5
[Al
 
5
Si
 
11
O
 
32
] · 12H
 
2
O
Heulandite-Ba
(Ba,Ca,K,Na,Sr)
 
5
Al
 
9
Si
 
27
O
 
72
 · 22H
 
2
O
Heulandite-Ca
(Ca,Na)
 
2-3
Al
 
3
(Al,Si)
 
2
Si
 
13
O
 
36
 · 12H
 
2
O
Heulandite-K
(K,Na,Ca)
 
2-3
Al
 
3
(Al,Si)
 
2
Si
 
13
O
 
36
 · 12H
 
2
O
Heulandite-Na
(Na,Ca)
 
2-3
Al
 
3
(Al,Si)
 
2
Si
 
13
O
 
36
 · 12H
 
2
O
Heulandite-Sr
(Sr,Na,Ca)
 
2-3
Al
 
3
(Al,Si)
 
2
Si
 
13
O
 
36
 · 12H
 
2
O
Hsianghualite
Ca
 
3
Li
 
2
(Be
 
3
Si
 
3
O
 
12
)F
 
2
Laumontite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
 · 4H
 
2
O
Leucite
K(AlSi
 
2
O
 
6
)
Lévyne
Lévyne-Ca
(Ca,Na
 
2
,K
 
2
)[Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
] · 6H
 
2
O
Lévyne-Na
(Na
 
2
,Ca,K
 
2
)[Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
] · 6H
 
2
O
Lovdarite
(Na,K,Ca)
 
4
(Be,Al)
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
16
 · 4H
 
2
O
Maricopaite
Pb
 
7
Ca
 
2
(Si,Al)
 
48
O
 
100
 · 32H
 
2
O
Mazzite-Mg
K
 
2
Mg
 
2
Ca
 
1.5
Al
 
9.5
Si
 
26.5
O
 
72
 · 28H
 
2
O or near
Mazzite-Na
Na
 
4
[Al
 
4
Si
 
14
O
 
36
]
 
2
 · 30H
 
2
O
Merlinoite
(K,Na)
 
5
(Ca,Ba)
 
2
Al
 
9
Si
 
23
O
 
64
 · 23H
 
2
O
Mesolite
Na
 
2
Ca
 
2
Si
 
9
Al
 
6
O
 
30
 · 8H
 
2
O
Montesommaite
(K,Na)
 
9
Al
 
9
Si
 
23
O
 
64
 · 10H
 
2
O
Mordenite
(Na
 
2
,Ca,K
 
2
)Al
 
2
Si
 
10
O
 
24
 · 7H
 
2
O
Mutinaite
Na
 
3
Ca
 
4
Si
 
85
Al
 
11
O
 
192
 · 60H
 
2
O
Natrolite
Na
 
2
Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
 · 2H
 
2
O
Natrolite Subgroup
Offretite
KCaMgAl
 
5
Si
 
13
O
 
36
 · 16H
 
2
O or near
Pahasapaite
Li
 
8
(Ca,Li,K)
 
10.5
Be
 
24
(PO
 
4
)
 
24
 · 38H
 
2
O
Paranatrolite
Na
 
2
Al
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
 · 3H
 
2
O
Parthéite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
8
 · 2H
 
2
O
Paulingite
Paulingite-Ca
(Ca,K
 
2
,Na
 
2
,Ba)
 
5
[Al
 
10
Si
 
35
O
 
90
] · 45H
 
2
O
Paulingite-K
(K
 
2
,Ca,Na
 
2
,Ba)
 
5
[Al
 
10
Si
 
35
O
 
90
] · 45H
 
2
O
Paulingite-Na
(Na
 
2
,K
 
2
,Ca,Ba)
 
5
[Al
 
10
Si
 
35
O
 
90
] · 45H
 
2
O
Perlialite
K
 
9
Na(Ca,Sr)[Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
]
 
6
 · 15H
 
2
O
Phillipsite-Ca
(Ca
 
0.5
,K,Na,Ba
 
0.5
)
 
4-7
[Al
 
4-7
Si
 
12-9
O
 
32
.
 
 12H2O
Phillipsite-K
(K,Na,Ca
 
0.5
,Ba
 
0.5
)
 
4-7
[Al
 
4-7
Si
 
12-9
O
 
32
]
.
 
 12H
 
2
O
Phillipsite-Na
(Na,K,Ca
 
0.5
,Ba
 
0.5
)
 
4-7
[Al
 
4-7
Si
 
12-9
O
 
32
] · 12H
 
2
O
Pollucite
(Cs,Na)
 
2
(Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
) · 2H
 
2
O
Roggianite
Ca
 
2
Be(OH)
 
2
Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
13
 · 2.5H
 
2
O
Scolecite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
3
O
 
10
 · 3H
 
2
O
Stellerite
Ca[Al
 
2
Si
 
7
O
 
18
] · 7H
 
2
O
Stilbite-Ca
NaCa
 
4
[Al
 
9
Si
 
27
O
 
72
] · nH
 
2
O
Stilbite-Na
(Na,Ca,K)
 
6-7
[Al
 
8
Si
 
28
O
 
72
] · nH
 
2
O
Terranovaite
(Na,Ca)
 
8
(Si
 
68
Al
 
12
)O
 
160
 · 29H
 
2
O
Tetranatrolite
Thomsonite-Ca
NaCa
 
2
Al
 
5
Si
 
5
O
 
20
 · 6H
 
2
O
Thomsonite-Sr
(Sr,Ca)
 
2
Na[Al
 
5
Si
 
5
O
 
20
] · 7H
 
2
O
Tschernichite
(Ca,Na
 
2
)[Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
] · 4-8H
 
2
O
Tschörtnerite
Ca
 
4
(Ca,Sr,K,Ba)
 
3
Cu
 
3
[(OH)
 
2
|Al
 
3
Si
 
3
O
 
12
]
 
4
 · nH
 
2
O
Wairakite
Ca(Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
12
) · 2H
 
2
O
Weinebeneite
CaBe
 
3
(PO
 
4
)
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · 4H
 
2
O
Wenkite
(Ba,K)
 
4
(Ca,Na)
 
6
[(SO
 
4
)
 
3
|(Si,Al)
 
20
O
 
39
(OH)
 
2
] · 0.5H
 
2
O
Willhendersonite
KCa[Al
 
3
Si
 
3
O
 
12
] · 5H
 
2
O
Yugawaralite
CaAl
 
2
Si
 
6
O
 
16
 · 4H
 
2
O
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
16.10.18Clinoptilolite
16.10.19Heulandite
16.10.20Gobbinsite
Na
 
4
(Ca,Mg,K
 
2
)Al
 
6
Si
 
10
O
 
32
 · 12H
 
2
O
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 Stilbite

Synonyms:
DesmineDesmine (of Breithaupt)EpidesmineGarbenstilbitePuflerite
Other Languages:
Catalan:Estilbita
Danish:Stilbit
Dutch:Stilbiet
German:Stilbit
Desmin
Garbenstilbit
Strahlzeolith
Hungarian:Dezmin
Japanese:束沸石
Polish:Stilbit
Simplified Chinese:辉沸石
Spanish:Garbenstilbita
Stilbita
Ukrainian:Десмін

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 Stilbite

Reference List:

- +
Haüy, R.J. (1796): Journal des mines, 5, 276.

Pabst, A. (1939): The relation of stellerite and epidesmine to stilbite. Mineralogical Magazine 25, 271-276. [Abstract in: American Mieralogist 24, 63 (1939)]

Slaughter, M. (1970): Crystal structure of stilbite. American Mineralogist 55, 387-397.

Cruciani, G., G. Artioli, A. Gualtieri, K. Stahl, and J.C. Hanson (1997): Dehydration dynamics of stilbite using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. American Mineralogist 82, 729-739.

Mindat.org articles about Stilbite

Article entries:
"Ladder Day" CollectingPaul Gilmore

Internet Links for Stilbite

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    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
    Current server date and time: 5th Dec 2011 20:28:39
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    Locality Updated: Pulpit Rock area, Pelham, Hillsborough Co., New Hampshire, USAFrom Peter Cristofono, 8th Feb 2012 16:42:03