Clear to
white trapezohedral crystals of Analcime.
A close-up view.
A single trapezohedral crystal.
CHEMISTRY NaAlSi2O6 .H2O Hydrous sodium aluminum silicate
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY Isometric (Cubic)
CRYSTAL GROWTH AND HABITS Analcime is normally found as trapezohedral crystals. It is also granular to massive.
COLOR AND OTHER OPTICAL PROPERTIES Analcime is colorless to white , greenish to reddish and is transparent to translucent.
HARDNESS 5 - 5.5
SPECIFIC GRAVITY 2.2 - 2.3
LUSTER Vitreous
STREAK White
BREAKABILITY Analcime has a subconchoidal fracture and is brittle.
OCCURRENCE Analcime is a member of the zeolite family and is found with other zeolites in silica-poor igneous rocks like basalt.
ASSOCIATED MINERALS Zeolites, Phrenite, Calcite, Quartz