Scientists have identified about 5,000 different mineral species. With so many minerals, it’s not surprising for several to have closely matching physical and chemical similarities. Scientists have established a grouping system for species with closely matching properties to provide for ease of study. Some groups only have three species, the minimum required. Other groups like the mica and autunite groups have more than 40 members.
The zeolite group is unusual, as it is considered to be two separate groups. Zeolites in the main group have all the required properties to be in that group. Other zeolites have the same properties, save for one or two that are different enough to be treated separately. Combined, the two groups include more than 75 members. Zeolites form when hot volcanic rocks react with groundwaters. The more prolific sources of zeolite minerals are in areas of vast volcanism. They also occur in ore veins and sedimentary rocks.
There is also some confusion about zeolite minerals. Collectors often assume any mineral found in a zeolite environment is a zeolite, but it’s not so. Such beauties as cavansite and apophyllite are two species mistakenly thought to be zeolites. Because of this, the second group of non-zeolites is often treated with the zeolites. To help distinguish between them, we’ll offer two companion articles, “Zeolites” and “Non-Zeolite” in future issues of Rock & Gem.
In a brief article like this, it would be a physical impossibility to describe every one of the 75 or so known zeolites. Some are rare and seldom seen. Others are known only to the micro-mounter using special equipment. In this article, we’ll treat zeolites most often seen at shows and are enjoyed by the average collector.
DEFINING ASPECTS OF ZEOLITES
Denne historien er fra April 2020-utgaven av Rock&Gem Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 2020-utgaven av Rock&Gem Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Rockhounding Ohio's Lake Erie Islands
A short ferry boat ride three miles from Ohio’s Lake Erie coastline is South Bass Island, better known as Put-in-Bay or the “Key West of the North.”
Iowa's Hidden Treasures
Exploring Keokuk Geodes: How They're Made & What's Inside
Agatized CORAL
Florida's Collectible State Stone
Rockhounding Florida's Beaches
Beachcombing serene stretches of Florida can reveal fascinating finds like fossilized shark teeth, sea glass, quartz, agate and even coral fragments.
Collecting Staurolite
Hot Spots In Virginia & Georgia
Pecos Valley Diamonds
New Mexico's Ancient Attraction
12 Tips for Rockhounding Tucson's Greatest Shows
Tucson in February becomes the international hub for buying and selling colored gems, rocks, minerals and fossils.
Turquoise in the American Southwest
A Water & Sky Souvenir
Touring Colorado's MINERAL BELT
It's a Showcase of Mining History & Minerals
Geology &Colorado's Taurish Traiks
Most of Colorado’s tourist trains today were originally constructed in the late 1800s to serve the state’s lucrative mining operations.