Analcime
Species
Common · NaAlSi₂O₆•(H₂O)
A zeolite that grows in glassy trapezohedra so regular they look machined, lining vesicles in basalt. Rubbed or warmed it takes a weak electric charge, which gave it a name meaning without strength.
Identity
- Formula
- NaAlSi₂O₆•(H₂O)
- Chemical class
- Silicate
- Mineral group
- Heulandite, Natrolite, Stilbite
- Also known as
- Analcite
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Habits
- Granular, Massive
- Fracture
- Subconchoidal
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.27 g/cm³
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Colors
- white, grayish white, greenish white, yellowish white, reddish white
- Streak
- white
- Transparency
- Transparent, Translucent
Geology
- Origins
- Igneous, Hydrothermal, Sedimentary
- Host rocks
- Volcanic rock
- Associated minerals
- Natrolite, Calcite, Heulandite, Prehnite
- Geography
- Italy, Iceland, Canada
Classification
- Rarity
- Common
- Gem quality
- No
Sources
- M. Pasero and others, IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, The New IMA List of Minerals, updated September 2026. International Mineralogical Association (CNMNC), 2026.
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Analcime. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
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