Scolecite For Sale

Scolecite is a member of the zeolite group of minerals containing mainly aluminum and silicon compounds. They exhibit a slender crystal habit and are very brittle in nature. Scolecite is a transparent, translucent crystal and typically colorless, but also shows up in light pinks and yellows.

Scolecite often forms in aggregate clusters. Their appearance is often confused with their close zeolite relative natrolite. They commonly form columnar clusters (sprays) in association with other minerals such as heulandite, apophyllite, stilbite, epidote, and calcite. Like other zeolites, scolecite forms within proximity to igneous rock.

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Minerals & Crystals

$2 - $27,500

Where Is Scolecite Found?

Most scolecite is collected in the state of Maharashtra, India, other localities include Elk Mountain in Washington state and large deposits in Iceland. Crystal clusters are found lining cavities in igneous rock formations, usually granite, gneiss, or (specifically in India) basalt. Scolecite isn’t a rare mineral, but it is one of the more uncommon zeolite minerals because of the specific set of conditions that must be met for it to form. Scolecite crystals form best in basalt caverns from low-temperature hydrothermal environments.

What Makes Scolecite Unique?

Aside from its resemblance to Superman’s secret lair, the Fortress of Solitude, scolecite has a plethora of alluring qualities. On the microscopic level, scolecite has a very complex crystal structure with channels of different depth on the atomic level trap certain molecules, but let others pass through. It is this tendency that marks them as a type of molecular sieve for particulates. This feature has made scolecite a common component in water filters and purifiers. Additionally, scolecite crystals will curl when exposed to heat in blowpipe tests, which was the inspiration for the mineral to be named after the Greek word for worm.

Where Is Scolecite Found?

What Makes Scolecite Unique?