Zeolites And Apophyllite Crystal Meaning & Information
Zeolites And Apophyllite Meaning And Information
What Are Zeolites? What Does Zeolite Mean?
Zeolite is a name for a group of aluminosilicate minerals and tectosilicate minerals that contain alkali.
Although Zeolite Crystals are very similar to Apophyllite Crystals, these two mineral varieties are not the same.
Types Of Zeolites
There are approximately 45 types of Natural Zeolite Minerals, and over 100 types of synthetic Zeolite.
Popular Zeolite Crystal Types include:
- Stilbite
- Natrolite
- Chabazite
- Heulandite
What Are Zeolites Made Of?
Zeolites are microporous minerals made up of Aluminium and Silica molecules linked together in a tectosilicate crystal structure that forms in an intricate, interconnected network-like crystal framework.
Each individual Zeolite Crystal varies widely in colour and mineral composition due to different mineral inclusions in each specimen, caused by the unique molecular filtering and sieving properties of microporous Zeolite Minerals.
Where Do Zeolites Come From?
Natural Zeolites can be found in countries around the world which have the basalt volcanic environments necessary for Zeolite crystal growth, including Iceland and the USA.
Natural Zeolite crystals for sale at Madagascan Direct are crystals from India, a country renowned for its high-quality natural zeolite minerals.
More specifically, our Natural Zeolite Crystals were found in Pune, India (Poona), a location famous for its rare high-grade Zeolite crystals.
How Do Zeolite Crystals Form?
Natural Zeolite Crystals form in basalt volcanic environments, in cavities (also known as "vesicles" or "geodes") in volcanic rock.
Ash and rock released by volcanic eruptions, over millions of years, react chemically with alkaline water from oceans, lakes, and other water sources to create Natural Zeolite Crystals (Natural Zeolite Minerals).
Zeolites History
Zeolites were used in ancient civilisations such as Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and by the Maya, for various purposes; most notably, for water purification in aqueducts.
Zeolite Minerals were re-discovered, named, and officially classified as the Zeolite Mineral Group by Swedish mineralogist Axel Fredrik Cronstedt in 1756.
The mineral name "Zeolite" comes from the Greek words for "boiling" and "stone", owing to the fact that when Zeolites are heated to boiling point, they emit steam due to their high water content.
Natural Zeolites are rarely pure owing to their highly porous structure which enables to the absorption of other minerals and metals: they often include other Zeolites, minerals, and metals which change their colouring.
Zeolites also commonly grow alongside other minerals such as Quartz/ Chalcedony, Calcite, and Apophyllite, creating unique and unusual mineral specimens.
Zeolite Crystal Structures
Zeolites are microporous minerals made of up of Aluminium and Silica molecules in a tectosilicate crystal structure (also known as a framework silicate crystal structure).
In the Zeolite crystal structure, there are open cavities between these Aluminium and Silica molecules which often contain water molecules, and these open spaces serve as cages and channels for molecular exchange.
Water molecules can easily move in and out of the crystal matrix due to these cavities: as a result, water can evaporate and be re-absorbed easily into the crystal framework, generally without damage.
Consequently, molecules that are smaller or the same size as water molecules can also move in and out of the gaps in the crystal matrix, although larger molecules cannot move in and out of the Zeolite structure as they do not fit into the gaps.
Therefore, Zeolites can be considered a type of molecular sieve or molecular filter. They can sieve and filter out smaller molecules as gas and liquid molecules move in and out of them: this makes them very useful for various purposes in industry.
What Do Zeolites Look Like?
Zeolite Crystals range in colour from colourless to white, brown, pink, peach, orange, red, and green, among other colours.
Zeolite Crystals frequently show a beautiful shimmering pearly lustre (vitreous lustre): in fact the Zeolite variety Stilbite was named using the Greek word for "shining"/ "glittering" in honour of this Zeolite property.
Each Zeolite Crystal can be incredibly diverse in appearance due to the differing compositions of various minerals and molecules absorbed into each individual Zeolite crystal structure.
There are many different types of Zeolite, and each type of Zeolite Crystal has a unique crystal habit (external crystal shape), ranging from needle-like crystals or hair-like crystals to flat tabular crystals, rhombohedral crystals, cubic crystals, and more.
Furthermore, Zeolites often form unique Crystal Clusters as they grow alongside different minerals and metals such as colourful Quartz Crystals and Apophyllite Crystals.
Zeolite Crystal Habits
The external crystal shapes of Zeolites, or crystal habits of Zeolite Crystals varies widely between the different Zeolite Crystal Types.
Some types of Zeolite, such as Natrolite, display needle-like crystals (this is known as an acicular crystal habit), or even a filiform crystal habit (capillary crystal habit), which has a very thin, hair-like appearance.
Other Zeolite crystal habits include the characteristic tabular, flat crystals of Stilbite, which often forms in the unique wheat sheaf crystal habit.
Heulandite also displays tabular crystals, however these crystals appear in a unique coffin-shaped crystal habit.
The crystal habit of Chabazite is characterised by rhombohedral crystals, however the angle of the crystals means that the crystal shape often looks like a cubic crystal habit.
How Hard Are Zeolite Minerals?
Zeolites measure between 3 and 5 on the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness, which means that Zeolite Minerals tend to be soft minerals.
Great care should be taken when storing or handling a Zeolite to avoid damaging the soft Zeolite crystals.
The hardness of a Zeolite varies depending on the specific type of Zeolite and the nature of their specific mineral inclusions.
Stilbite measures between 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs Scale, whilst Scolecite and Natrolite are particularly fragile minerals due to their delicate needle-like crystals.
Zeolite Crystal Care: How To Protect Your Zeolite Crystal From Damage
As Zeolites are soft minerals, they are susceptible to many forms of damage if not handled carefully.
Protect Your Zeolite Crystal By:
- Handling and storing Zeolite crystals separately to other stones (when harder minerals such as Quartz come into contact with softer minerals such as Zeolites, the softer mineral can be easily scratched or broken)
- Being careful using water to clean Zeolites
Can Zeolite Crystals Go In Water? Are Zeolite Crystals Water Safe?
Decorative Zeolite Crystals should not go in water, despite Zeolite crystals being water-safe and used for water filtration purposes in water purification industries.
Submerging an ornamental Zeolite Crystal in water can affect the aesthetics of the stone, and risks causing structural damage to the Zeolite crystal.
If you are using a Zeolite mineral as a decorative crystal display piece, or crystal ornament, for example for home decor, then a Zeolite crystal is not a water-safe crystal for you.
Why Are Zeolite Crystals Both Water-Safe Crystals And Not Water-Safe Crystals?
This is due to the unique filtration properties of a Zeolite crystal: as Zeolite minerals are microporous, they can easily absorb water and similarly sized molecules.
The absorption of water into a Zeolite Mineral can change the inner crystal structure of the Zeolite, potentially changing the Zeolite shape and overall appearance of the Zeolite, as well as potentially causing breakage and damage.
Although Zeolites are renowned for their uses in industrial water purification and water filtration due to their microporous crystal structures, these processes are usually carefully planned and controlled to avoid unnecessary damage to the Zeolite Mineral, and there is little to no concern for the aesthetic value of the stone.
How To Clean A Zeolite Crystal
To clean decorative Zeolite crystals, It is best to avoid soaking Zeolite Crystals in water to clean them, in order to avoid causing water damage to the Zeolite crystal structure.
To clean your Zeolite crystal, instead use a soft dry cloth to gently wipe the stone, adding a little water to wet the cloth if needed to remove more stubborn areas of dirt.
Zeolites In Mineral Collections
Zeolites, with their incredible diversity, make perfect additions to any mineral collection.
Zeolite crystals also make great choices for home decor, aesthetically, due to their commonly pearly lustre / vitreous lustre: in fact, the Zeolite variety known as Stilbite was named after this property from the Greek for "shining"/ "glittering".
Zeolites Uses In Industry
Zeolites have many industrial and commercial uses, and over a hundred new types of Zeolite have been synthetically created for this purpose.
Due to the unique sieving qualities of the Zeolite crystal structure, Zeolites are commonly used industrially as absorbents and to filter out toxins and de-contaminate substances.
Zeolites are used to purify water, for example by removing toxins such as ammonia in wastewater, sewage water, swimming pools, and aquariums, and can even be used to de-contaminate radioactive waste.
Historically, ancient civilisations including the Romans, Greeks, and Maya used Zeolites in their aqueducts to purify their drinking water.
Zeolites make great water softeners as they can remove Calcium ions from hard water, and are also important as catalysts in the refining and purification of natural gas and petroleum.
Zeolites are also used for many purposes in other industries, including the health industry: some people crush zeolites into a powder and consume them for purported health benefits, believing the Zeolites will filter out toxins in their body, and in agriculture, Zeolites have been added to the feed of livestock for this purpose.
Zeolites Crystal Meaning And Spirituality
Spiritually, Zeolites are believed by crystal healers to detoxify one's body and energy as they are said to absorb negative energy.
Zeolites are commonly used in Reiki healing.
Zeolites are said to exude a soothing, peaceful energy due to their strong water energy, however their volcanic history also means that they are believed to also contain contrasting fire energy, which can provide one with boosts of joy, passion, and motivation.
Zeolite Chakras
Zeolites, with their endless variety, are associated with all chakras, but especially the Crown Chakra.
When meditated with upon the Crown Chakra, a Zeolite is said to help attune and balance your energies, making it perfect for use in purification, detoxification, and chakra balancing work.
Buy Zeolite Crystals Online at Madagascan Direct.
What Is Apophyllite?
Apophyllite is the name for a group of phyllosilicate minerals which are very similar in composition and appearance to zeolites (with which they are often found).
Apophyllite, much like a Zeolite, is very popular with mineral collectors owing to its diversity in appearance and gemmy, pearly lustre (vitreous lustre) which makes each specimen uniquely aesthetically pleasing.
What Is The Difference Between Apophyllite And Zeolites?
Apophyllite and Zeolites are very similar in many properties, and commonly grow alongside each other in the same environments, often together in the same specimen alongside other minerals such as Quartz and Calcite crystals.
Both mineral groups are silicates which have a high water content, however Apophyllite does not contain aluminium like Zeolites: Zeolites are aluminosilicates whilst Apophyllite minerals are potassium-calcium-fluorosilicates containing potassium, calcium, and fluoride.
There are also slight structural differences between the two mineral groups: Zeolites have a network-like tectosilicate crystal structure whilst Apophyllite has a layered, sheet-like phyllosilicate crystal structure of alternating silicate layers.
Apophyllite History
In 1806, French mineralogist René Just Haüy named a single mineral Apophyllite using the Greek for "leaf apart" or "flakes off", owing to the fact Apophyllite minerals often break apart when sufficiently heated due to the loss of their high water content.
In 1978, the single mineral Apophyllite was re-defined as a group of similar minerals.
Types of Apophyllite
The Apophyllite Group as defined in 1978 contains three types of Apophyllite: Fluor-apophyllite, Hydroxy-apophyllite, and Natro-apophyllite.
Fluor-apophyllite is the most colourful and common type of Apophyllite, whilst Natro-apophyllite, with its signature brown colour, is the rarest type of Apophyllite.
What Does Apophyllite Look Like?
Apophyllite ranges in colour from colourless to white, grey, green, and brown, among other colours, and is often found with other colourful minerals such as blue Chalcedony or colourful Zeolites such as peach-coloured Stilbite.
Most Apophyllite crystals display a pointed, prismatic crystal habit or cubic or tabular crystals, many of which can be rather large.
How Hard Is Apophyllite?
Measuring 4.5 to 5 on the Mohs scale, Apophyllite is a somewhat soft mineral, and care should be taken not to damage its surface.
To clean the crystal, simply use water and a soft cloth.
Where Does Apophyllite Come From?
The Apophyllite at Madagascan Direct was sourced from Pune, India, where it was found in basalt volcanic environments.
However, Apophyllite can be found in many different locations worldwide, including countries such as the USA and Norway.
Apophyllite Crystal Healing Properties
Apophyllite is believed by many crystal healers to have a strongly calming, cleansing energy, making it a perfect stone for those struggling with feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
Apophyllite Chakras
Apophyllite is said to work well with the Third Eye Chakra and Crown Chakra.
Said to be a very mystical stone, when meditated upon these chakras, many people believe that Apophyllite can open the door to improved psychic abilities and spiritual experiences such as astral travel.
Apophyllite Crystal Collections
Apophyllite is an incredibly diverse group of minerals, and for this reason, there are many unique specimens to collect, including those with striking mineral inclusions and associated zeolites such as peach Stilbite.
Buy Apophyllite Crystals Online at Madagascan Direct.
