Thomsonita
Thomsonita is a mineral with formula (Na,Ca)₂Al₅Si₅O₂₀·6H₂O, in the Silicatos (Tectosilicatos) group. This specimen comes from Deshgoan, Madhya Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, India and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.
Description
Orange radial thomsonite crystals with white mesolite on dark grey volcanic matrix. The crystals show a silky acicular habit, forming dense, well-defined spheres within a cavity.
About Thomsonita
A rare zeolite, a member of the tectosilicate group, typical of cavities in Indian basalts. Its structure allows development of an acicular habit in spherical radiating aggregates. The association is characteristic of the region.
About the locality
Located in the basalt-rich Deccan region, the Deshgoan area is noted for its zeolite associations. Thomsonite here commonly occurs in cavities with mesolite and stilbite.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0062
- Composition
- (Na,Ca)₂Al₅Si₅O₂₀·6H₂O
- Name
- Thomsonita
- Group
- Silicatos (Tectosilicatos)
- Category
- Cavella
- Matrix
- Matriz basáltica
- Associations
- mesolita
- Mine
- Deshgoan
- District / Municipality
- Madhya Pradesh
- Province
- Madhya Pradesh
- Country
- India
- Size (cm)
- 46 x 33 x 44
- Weight
- 56 g
- Acquired
- 2025
- Etymology
- It is named in honour of the Scottish geologist Thomas Thomson (1773–1852), who identified the mineral in 1820.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable