Apophyllite and stilbite Crystal Cluster!
B15

Description:
This is a nice specimen. You have some clean clear apophyllite with stilbite crystals.

Size:
3x1.5x1in

Geological Information:
Apophyllite can be a beautiful mineral, forming in lustrous, transparent crystals that are well-formed and occasionally very large. Though it is found worldwide in volcanic zeolite environments, the Indian traprock quarries have produced enormous quantities of this mineral in all different shapes, sizes, and colors, making Apophyllite easily obtainable and very affordable.

Apophyllite was originally regarded as a single mineral, with a variable ratio of fluorine to hydroxyl. In 1978, the IMA sub-classified into two distinct minerals: Fluorapophyllite and Hydroxyapophyllite. In 1981, an additional rare member with sodium replacing the potassium was added to the group, and called Natroapophyllite.

In a controversial move, the IMA has recently changed the scientific naming of these minerals for easier cataloging and alphabetical indexing. The new mineral names are Apophyllite-(KF) [instead of Fluorapophyllite], Apophyllite-(KOH) [instead of Hydroxyapophyllite], and Apophyllite-(NaF) [instead of Natroapophyllite]. Although use of the original names is now discouraged by the IMA, these names are still used and referenced, with the new names frowned upon by many collectors. The reality is that most collectors rarely sub-classify Apophyllite specimens, and simply label them all as Apophyllite.