| Apophyllite and Stilbite |
| SpiritRock Shop |
Click on any photo to see a larger version
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
 |
Apophyllite specimens are found in ancient lava and basalt flows. The crystals grow in the now solid
cavities, called amygdules or vesicles, formed by air bubbles when the rock was molten. Apophyllite is
also found in the voids in the contact metamorphic zone limestones that surround intrusive rocks. What
makes apophyllite so popular among collectors is its fantastic crystals with their gem-like vitreous to pearly
luster. Apophyllite almost always forms good crystals of two major types. The favorite crystal habit is the
rectangular prism capped by a steep four sided pyramid (tetragonal dipyramid). By far its most impressive
color is the pastel green color that augments specimens from Poona, India. Some crystals of apophyllite
are cut as gems, but mostly just for collectors.
The other common crystal habit is a pseudo-cubic crystal that occurs when there is no pyramid and the
prism is ended by a flat termination (a pinacoid). The pinacoid is a crystal form that is perpendicular to the
length of the crystal and so can abruptly terminate the prism.
Apophyllite, whose name roughly means "to leaf apart" in Greek, is a mineral classic. It was given its name
because crystals tend to peel or flake apart when they are heated due to the loss of water molecules.
Although not that well-known by the general public, apophyllite is quite popular among mineral collectors. It
is probably the first exotic mineral that a young collector will own after filling up on specimens of calcite,
quartz, pyrite, galena, mica, fluorite, gypsum, apatite, etc, etc. After these common minerals, apophyllite
seems like a real rarity and it offers so much to the collector. It has beauty, pastel colors, a bright luster,
interesting well formed habits
cavities, called amygdules or vesicles, formed by air bubbles when the rock was molten. Apophyllite is
also found in the voids in the contact metamorphic zone limestones that surround intrusive rocks. What
makes apophyllite so popular among collectors is its fantastic crystals with their gem-like vitreous to pearly
luster. Apophyllite almost always forms good crystals of two major types. The favorite crystal habit is the
rectangular prism capped by a steep four sided pyramid (tetragonal dipyramid). By far its most impressive
color is the pastel green color that augments specimens from Poona, India. Some crystals of apophyllite
are cut as gems, but mostly just for collectors.
The other common crystal habit is a pseudo-cubic crystal that occurs when there is no pyramid and the
prism is ended by a flat termination (a pinacoid). The pinacoid is a crystal form that is perpendicular to the
length of the crystal and so can abruptly terminate the prism.
Apophyllite, whose name roughly means "to leaf apart" in Greek, is a mineral classic. It was given its name
because crystals tend to peel or flake apart when they are heated due to the loss of water molecules.
Although not that well-known by the general public, apophyllite is quite popular among mineral collectors. It
is probably the first exotic mineral that a young collector will own after filling up on specimens of calcite,
quartz, pyrite, galena, mica, fluorite, gypsum, apatite, etc, etc. After these common minerals, apophyllite
seems like a real rarity and it offers so much to the collector. It has beauty, pastel colors, a bright luster,
interesting well formed habits
| Excellent Old Stock Estate specimen of Stilbite and Apophyllite from Mahad India This is an old stock estate specimen from a Michigan estate. Well formed white Stilbite with a few clear Apophyllite crystals make this an interesting specimen! This specimen weighs 0.57 lbs (258g) and measures 3.6 x 2.4 x 1.7 inches (91 x 60 x 49mm) |
| Item # APS0406750 Old Stock Apophyllite and Stilbite from Mahad India $32.00 |
Stilbite is a common and perhaps the most popular zeolite mineral for collectors. Stilbite crystals can
aggregate together to form a structure resembling wheat sheafs. This hourglass structure looks like
several crystals stacked parallel to each other with the tops and bottoms of this structure fanning out while
the middle remains thin. Stilbite's hallmark crystal habit is unique to stilbite and a rarer but related zeolite
called stellerite. Stilbite is a striking specimen with its pearly luster and often colorful pink tints. Stilbite
commonly forms nice crystals inside the petrified bubbles (called vesicles) of volcanic rocks that have
undergone a small amount of metamorphism.
aggregate together to form a structure resembling wheat sheafs. This hourglass structure looks like
several crystals stacked parallel to each other with the tops and bottoms of this structure fanning out while
the middle remains thin. Stilbite's hallmark crystal habit is unique to stilbite and a rarer but related zeolite
called stellerite. Stilbite is a striking specimen with its pearly luster and often colorful pink tints. Stilbite
commonly forms nice crystals inside the petrified bubbles (called vesicles) of volcanic rocks that have
undergone a small amount of metamorphism.
| Stilbite |
| Apophyllite |
| Item # APS12109932 Stilbite Sheaf Crystals and green Apophyllite from Jalgaon India $49.00 |
| Stilbite Sheaf Crystals and green Apophyllite Very Nice array of Green Apophyllite points in a display of white sheaf Stilbite. This specimen is from Jalgaon, India This specimen measures 3.1 x 1.8 x 1.2 in (80.9 x 47.8 x 31mm) and weighs 0.1lb ( 48g ) |
Cubic Green Apophyllite on Heulandite from Nasik, Maharashtra, India This Cubic Green Apophyllite on Heulandite Specimen was collected from the Basalt of Deccan. The volcanic basalt beds of the Deccan formed with the massive Deccan Traps eruptions, which occurred about 65 million years ago. The Deccan Traps are a province located on the Deccan Plateau of west-central India and cover 190,000 square miles. They are one of the largest volcanic features on earth. The designation “Traps” (Dutch for stairs) comes from geological descriptions for step like rock formations and describes the hills forming the landscape of the region. This specimen weighs 0.49 lb (225g) and measures 3.3 x 3 x 1.9 inches (8.4 x 7.6 x 4.8cm) The Cubic Green Apophyllite crystal measures 0.9 x 0.7 x 0.6 inches (22.8 x 17.9 x 15.9mm) |
APOPHYLLITE & STILBITE Exceptional angled specimen with crystals down the sides that are green prismatic crystals of APOPHYLLITE, many of which are double-terminated. There is an enhancing white frosting of crystals on the green Apophyllite. They are intermixed with white STILBITE wheat sheaf clusters. These are all on a crust of pinkish drusy Stilbite. Another fine specimen collected from the Basalt of Deccan near Bidkin Village, south of Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. This specimen measures 5 x 4.5 x 2.7 inches (127 x 114 x 69mm) and weighs 1.52 lbs (691g). |
| Item # APS04109553 Apophyllite and Stilbite from Maharashtra India $76.00 |
| Item # APH12109922 Cubic Green Apophyllite on Heulandite from Nasik, Maharashtra, India $180.00 |
| Item # APS12109553 Stunning Apophyllite with Pink Stilbite from Maharashtra India $65.00 |
| Stunning Apophyllite with Pink Stilbite from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India Multiple, clear, well formed, and even some double terminated Apophyllite crystals dominate this piece. It has a high flash presentation with a touch of Pink Stilbite as an accent. These crystals range in size from very small up to 43mm in length and form beautiful random patterns. This piece weighs 0.43 lbs (199g) and measures 3.7 x 2.4 x 1.9 inches (9.4 x 6.3 x 4.8cm) |
| Notice to Our Customers We will be closed from May 18th through August 15th 2012 to relocate our business. Orders placed during this time will not be shipped until after August 15th. Purchases or Reservations will be honored in the date order they are received. 1st purchaser is served 1st. |