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Heulandite | |
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General | |
Category | Zeolites (tectosilicates) |
Formula (repeating unit) | (Ca,Na)2−3Al3(Al,Si)2Si13O36·12H2O |
IMA symbol | Hul[1] |
Strunz classification | 9.GE.05 |
Crystal system | Monoclinic More than one space group |
Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
Identification | |
Colour | colourless, yellow, green, white, pale pink |
Crystal habit | tabular, parallel aggregates |
Cleavage | perfect basal |
Mohs scale hardness | 3.5–4 |
Lustre | pearly, vitreous |
Streak | white |
Diaphaneity | transparent to translucent |
References | [2][3][4][5] |
Heulandite is the name of a series of tecto-silicate minerals of the zeolite group. Prior to 1997, heulandite was recognized as a mineral species, but a reclassification in 1997 by the International Mineralogical Association changed it to a series name, with the mineral species being named:
Heulandite-Ca, the most common of these, is a hydrous calcium and aluminium silicate, (Ca,Na)2−3Al3(Al,Si)2Si13O36·12H2O. Small amounts of sodium and potassium are usually present replacing part of the calcium. Strontium replaces calcium in the heulandite-Sr variety. The appropriate species name depends on the dominant element. The species are visually indistinguishable, and the series name heulandite is still used whenever testing has not been performed.