Mohs 5
Vickers (~) 540 HV
Knoop (~) 620 HK
Geological setting
Volcanic
Element composition by mass
Formula: Na₂Ca₂Al₆Si₉O₃₀·8H₂O · molar mass: 1038.78 g/mol
| O | 47.75% | |
| Si | 24.33% | |
| Al | 15.58% | |
| Ca | 7.72% | |
| Na | 4.43% | |
| H | 0.19% |
Computed from atomic weights (IUPAC 2021). Site-occupancy groups (Fe,Mn) split equally.
Mohs Hardness
5
Mesolite sits at 5 on the Mohs scale — can be scratched by a steel knife.
Colors:
Streak
White
White
Crystal system
Orthorhombic
Orthorhombic
SilicatesSilicates (Tectosilicates — Zeolites)
TL;DR · 1 min read
Mesolite (Na₂Ca₂Al₆Si₉O₃₀·8H₂O) is the intermediate Na-Ca zeolite between natrolite (Na) and scolecite (Ca). It forms hair-like acicular crystals — sometimes meters-long and finer than human hair — in radiating tufts and snow-white aggregates.
Mesolite (Na₂Ca₂Al₆Si₉O₃₀·8H₂O) is the intermediate Na-Ca zeolite between natrolite (Na) and scolecite (Ca). It forms hair-like acicular crystals — sometimes meters-long and finer than human hair — in radiating tufts and snow-white aggregates. Pune (India) and Iceland supply iconic snow-white “cotton ball” mesolite specimens.
More minerals to explore
Stilbite (辉沸石)
Monoclinic
Heulandite (钙沸石)
Monoclinic
Analcime (方沸石)
Isometric (Cubic)
Scolecite (钙沸石)
Monoclinic
Chabazite (菱沸石)
Trigonal
Natrolite (钠沸石)
Orthorhombic