Natrolite

Natrolite is a tectosilicate mineral species belonging to the zeolite group. It is a hydrated sodium and aluminium silicate with the formula Na2Al2Si3O10 • 2H2O.[3] The type locality is Hohentwiel, Hegau, Germany.[2]

Natrolite
General
CategoryTectosilicate
Formula
(repeating unit)		Na2Al2Si3O10·2H2O
Strunz classification9.GA.05 (10 ed)
8/J.21-10 (8 ed)
Dana classification77.01.05.01
Crystal systemOrthorhombic
Crystal classPyramidal (mm2)
H-M symbol: (mm2)
Space groupFdd2
Unit cella = 18.27, b = 18.587
c = 6.56 [Å], Z = 8
Identification
Formula mass380.22 g/mol
ColorWhite, colorless, sometimes pink
Crystal habitAcicular
TwinningOn {110}, {011}, {031}
CleavagePerfect on {110}
FractureIrregular, uneven
TenacityBrittle
Mohs scale hardness5-6
LusterVitreous, Silky, Pearly
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
Specific gravity2.25
References[1][2][3]

It was named natrolite by Martin Heinrich Klaproth in 1803.[2] The name is derived from natron (νατρών), the Greek word for soda, in reference to the sodium content, and lithos (λίθος), meaning stone. Needle stone or needle-zeolite are other informal names, alluding to the common acicular habit of the crystals, which are often very slender and are aggregated in divergent tufts. The crystals are frequently epitaxial overgrowths of natrolite, mesolite, and gonnardite in various orders.[1]

Properties

Larger crystals most commonly have the form of a square prism terminated by a low pyramid, the prism angle being nearly a right angle. The crystals are tetragonal in appearance, though actually orthorhombic. There are perfect cleavages parallel to the faces of the prism. The mineral also often occurs in compact fibrous aggregates, the fibers having a divergent or radial arrangement. Natrolite is readily distinguished from other fibrous zeolites by its optical characteristics.

Between crossed nicols the fibers extinguish parallel to their length, and they do not show an optic figure in convergent polarized light. Natrolite is usually white or colorless, but sometimes reddish or yellowish. The luster is vitreous, or, in finely fibrous specimens, silky.

The specific gravity is 2.2, and the hardness is 5.5. The mineral is readily fusible, melting in a candle-flame to which it imparts a yellow color owing to the presence of sodium. It is decomposed by hydrochloric acid with separation of gelatinous silica.

Environment

Natrolite occurs with other zeolites in the amygdaloidal cavities of basaltic igneous rocks. It is also common in nepheline syenites.

Notable localities

Excellent specimens of diverging groups of white prismatic crystals are found in compact basalt at the Puy-deMarman, Puy-de-Dôme, France. Huge crystals have been found on the Kola Peninsula, Russia (30 cm by 13 cm).[1] The walls of cavities in the basalt of the Giants Causeway, in County Antrim, are frequently encrusted with slender needles of natrolite, and similar material is found abundantly in the volcanic rocks (basalt and phonolite) of Salesel, Aussig and several other places in the north of Bohemia. Mont St. Hilaire, Quebec has produced large crystals associated with many rare minerals. The Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, New Jersey, Oregon, and British Columbia have also produced excellent specimens.

Several varieties of natrolite have been distinguished by special Nips. Fargite is a red natrolite from Glenfarg in Perthshire. Bergmannite, or Spreustein, is an impure variety which has resulted by the alteration of other minerals, chiefly sodalite, in the augite syenite of southern Norway.

Natrolite is one of the closely associated minerals with Benitoite, a rare mineral with the type locality in San Benito County, California.

Images
  • Natrolite from the plateau basalts in east Greenland
  • Colorless, radiating natrolite in zeolite pod
  • Catapleiite and natrolite from Poudrette quarry, Québec, Canada
  • Slender needles of natrolite are accented by deep pink inesites
  • Natrolite in spherical clusters inside protective pocket of volcanic rock
  • Natrolite sprays of stark white crystals are shooting out from a vug of inesite

References
  1. R. Tschernich, Zeolites of the World, Geoscience Press, 1992.
  2. M. H. Klapoth, XV. Chemische Untersuchung des Natroliths, Ges Naturforsch Freunde Berlin Neue Schriften, V 4, pp 243-248, 1803.
  3. D. S. Coombs, Recommended Nomenclature for Zeolite Minerals: Report of the Subcommittee on Zeolites of the International Mineralogical Association, Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names, The Canadian Mineralogist, Vol. 35, pp. 1571-1606, 1997.

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Natrolite". Encyclopædia Britannica. 19 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 273.

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