{"product_id":"8-9-stilbite-and-apophyllite-crystal-cluster-on-matrix-mineral-specimen-jalgaon-india-06jzz814","title":"8.9\" Stilbite and Apophyllite Crystal Cluster On Matrix Mineral Specimen Jalgaon India","description":"\u003cp\u003eLocation: India\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeight: 1 Pound 11.4 Ounces\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimensions: 8.9 Inches Long,4.6 Inches Wide, 1.8 Inches Thick \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(168, 76, 11);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eComes with a Free Stand.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #6aa84f;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe item pictured is the one you will receive.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(173, 62, 11);\"\u003eStilbite\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e from India is celebrated worldwide for its distinctive architectural crystal formations and warm, pastel coloration. While Stilbite occurs in volcanic rocks across the globe, the basalt quarries of Maharashtra—particularly around Jalgaon and Pune—produce the largest, most aesthetically refined specimens ever discovered. Indian Stilbite is most renowned for its soft peachy-salmon, orange, and cream hues, colored by trace amounts of iron inclusions suspended within the crystal lattice during formation.\u003cbr\u003eGeological Formation in the Deccan Traps\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLike its frequent companion Apophyllite, Indian Stilbite owes its existence to the cataclysmic volcanic eruptions that formed the Deccan Traps roughly 66 million years ago. As massive volumes of basaltic flood lavas blanketed the Indian subcontinent and began to cool, trapped gases formed extensive subterranean cavities and vesicles.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOver millennia, circulating hydrothermal groundwater rich in silica, aluminum, calcium, and sodium seeped into these open basalt pockets. As temperatures gradually dropped between, these mineralizing solutions precipitated out, allowing Stilbite crystals to grow freely along the cavity walls. Because Stilbite typically crystallizes at slightly lower temperatures than some associated minerals, it often coats earlier-forming Quartz or green Apophyllite, creating spectacular multi-mineral assemblages.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePhysical Properties \u0026amp; Diagnostic Features\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCrystal Habit:\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e The most diagnostic visual feature of Stilbite is its tendency to form distinct \u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"bowtie\"\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e or \u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003esheaf-like\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e aggregates. These structures occur because individual tabular crystals fan out slightly from a central point as they grow, creating a constricted middle that expands into wide, fanned terminations resembling a sheaf of wheat.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCleavage and Luster:\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e The mineral's name derives from the Greek \u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003estilbein\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e (\"to glitter\"), referencing the brilliant, pearly luster along its perfect cleavage planes. While the outer faces of the crystals display a glassy (vitreous) luster, broken surfaces or cleavage faces shimmer with an intense, mother-of-pearl sheen.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHardness:\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e Stilbite is a relatively soft zeolite, registering between 3.5 and 4 on the Mohs hardness scale. Because of its low hardness and perfect cleavage in one direction, it is delicate and can be easily scratched or cleaved by harder minerals or careless handling.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 0px; padding: 0px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCollector Value \u0026amp; Care\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHigh-grade Indian Stilbite is highly sought after by collectors for its architectural beauty, soft pastel coloration, and its frequent appearance on contrasting matrices of dark basalt, icy-clear Apophyllite, or sparkling micro-crystalline Quartz. Because Stilbite is a hydrous mineral containing abundant water molecules trapped within its open zeolite channels, specimens should be protected from harsh cleaning chemicals, acidic solutions, and direct exposure to high heat, which can cause the crystals to dehydrate, crack, or lose their pearly luster.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e","brand":"Thomestate","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52428081266968,"sku":"06JZZ814","price":54.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1250\/0441\/files\/5U8A9286.jpg?v=1784662474","url":"https:\/\/www.fossilageminerals.com\/products\/8-9-stilbite-and-apophyllite-crystal-cluster-on-matrix-mineral-specimen-jalgaon-india-06jzz814","provider":"Fossil Age Minerals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}