Escolecita
Escolecita is a mineral with formula CaAl₂Si₃O₁₀·3H₂O, in the Tectosilicatos group. This specimen comes from Jalgaon Quarries, Jalgaon District, Nashik Division, Maharashtra, India and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.
Description
Radial-growth sphere composed of hundreds of white, transparent, lustrous acicular crystals arranged in well-formed bundles radiating from a central core to form a 13 cm globe. Each delicate prismatic crystal terminates in clean, sharp faces that reflect light brightly. Despite its fragility, the piece shows near-perfect preservation.
History of this specimen
It’s an almost flawless piece, and the one that inspired my "Asterix Explosio" category for radial or explosive formations. Its previous owner, Adrián R.S., explained that "Pune" is the only origin listed because local miners and dealers have spent years concealing the exact quarries to dodge central government taxes. He also noted that, due to a mix of history and trade tradition, all minerals from this part of India end up being sold in that very same town.
About Escolecita
Scolecite is a tectosilicate of the zeolite group that forms in cavities in basalts and other volcanic rocks. Its acicular crystals commonly assemble into radial or spherulitic aggregates. It is typical of Indian localities, which have produced some of the world's noted specimens.
About the locality
Pune, in the state of Maharashtra, lies within the Deccan Traps region, a vast volcanic province of basalts formed more than 60 million years ago. The vesicular cavities of these basalts, lined with zeolites such as scolecite, have become one of the most important sources for mineral collecting.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0107
- Composition
- CaAl₂Si₃O₁₀·3H₂O
- Name
- Escolecita
- Group
- Tectosilicatos
- Category
- Asteris Explosio
- Mine
- Jalgaon Quarries
- District / Municipality
- Jalgaon District
- Province
- Nashik Division
- Region
- Maharashtra
- Country
- India
- Size (cm)
- 13 x 8 x 8
- Weight
- 636 g
- Acquired
- 2025
- Ex-collection
- Adrián R. S.
- Etymology
- From the Greek "skolex" (worm), referring to the appearance of the flexible needles when heated in a flame.
- Quality
- Notable
- Value trend
- Al alza
Related specimens
- Apofilita — India
- Calcita (Melada) — India
- Cavansita — India
- Calcedonia Estalactítica — India
- Calcedonia Estalactítica — India
- Calcedonia Estalactítica — India
- Escolecita — India
- Escolecita — India