Mesolite
Template:Short description Template:Infobox mineral Mesolite is a tectosilicate mineral with formula Template:Chem2. It is a member of the zeolite group and the natrolite subgroup,[1] also resembling natrolite in appearance.
Mesolite crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and typically forms fibrous, acicular prismatic crystals or masses.[2] 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.
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.[1][3] Like other zeolites, mesolite occurs as void fillings in amygdaloidal basalt also in andesites and hydrothermal veins.[2]
Images
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Mesolite
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"Puff ball" of mesolite in a basaltic vug
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Mesolite often forms in fibrous crystals
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A pocket of hairlike acicular crystals of mesolite growing off thomsonite
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Fibrous crystal sample retrieved from caverns near Pune, India
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