Clinoptilolite
Mineral (Na,K,Ca)2-3Al3(Al,Si)2Si13O36·12H2O
Also called Clinoptilolite-Na, Clinoptilolite-K, and Clinoptilolite-Ca
About it
The commonest zeolite of altered volcanic ash beds, mined for filters, cat litter, and animal feed; crystals are small white tablets like heulandite, its close relative.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Silicate (tectosilicate), zeolite group
- Formula
- (Na,K,Ca)2-3Al3(Al,Si)2Si13O36·12H2O
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3.5–4
- Specific gravity
- 2.1–2.2
- Streak
- white
- Lustre
- vitreous (glassy), pearly
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Colours
- white, colourless, pink, reddish
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Cleavage and fracture
- perfect in one direction
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.