Mordenita
Mordenita is a mineral with formula (Na₂,K₂,Ca)₄Al₈Si₄₀O₉₆·28H₂O, in the Tectosilicatos group. This specimen comes from Aurangabad, Jalgaon District, Nashik Division, Maharashtra, India and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.
Description
Perfect spherulitic aggregate composed of hundreds of white acicular crystals, with a clean matte texture and pinpoint lustre along the edges. Radial bundles emanate from an invisible core and expand into a mineral pom-pom, with impeccable symmetry and an impression of lightness.
History of this specimen
Adrián RS got me this impeclable piece and explained that, for years, miners and traders in the area have not revealed the exact quarry to avoid central government taxes, so only Pune is given as provenance. He added that, for historical and commercial reasons, all mineral from India is sold in the same town. It belongs to the "Asterix Explosio" category, reserved for spherulitic radial formations in the collection.
About Mordenita
Mordenite is a zeolite that crystallises as very fine acicular bundles; it often forms spherulites of great delicacy and organic appearance. It is common in cavities of basalts and andesites, and is appreciated in collections for its balance between matte texture and pinpoint flashes.
About the locality
Pune, in the state of Maharashtra, lies within the Deccan Traps, an immense basalt province. The vesicular cavities of these basalts have produced some of the best zeolites in the world, including mordenite.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0108
- Composition
- (Na₂,K₂,Ca)₄Al₈Si₄₀O₉₆·28H₂O
- Name
- Mordenita
- Group
- Tectosilicatos
- Category
- Asteris Explosio
- Mine
- Aurangabad
- District / Municipality
- Jalgaon District
- Province
- Nashik Division
- Region
- Maharashtra
- Country
- India
- Size (cm)
- 9 x 7 x 6
- Weight
- 263.3 g
- Acquired
- 2025
- Etymology
- From Morden (Nova Scotia, Canada), where it was first identified.
- 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