Apophyllite Minerals Collection

Stilbite crystal is a hydrous calcium sodium and aluminum silicate mineral. The English name Stilbite is from the Greek "Stilbein" which means "to shine" due to the wonderful luster of this mineral which is pearlescent on its faces.  Stilbite is considered "brittle" in tenacity and is found on the Moh's scale of hardness at only a 3.5-4 (a Diamond is a 10).

Most commonly found colorless, or white, this mineral crystal can also be found in yellows, browns, pinks, salmons and organges, reds, greens, blues, or even black.  More common in Iceland and Nova Scotia, it can also be found in the United States in certain areas of New Jersey in tan colors, while peach or Salmon colored varieties can be found in India and near Bombay, while some areas of Alaska can yield the beautiful whites (Kiui Island).

This mineral grows in the cavities of volcanic rocks, and hydrothermal veins, and is often located together with quartz, or calcite, or other zeolites.  This mineral is used in the process of petroleum refining due to the open channels it contains that act as a sieve on the molecular level.