Natrolite

A zeolite forming glassy, needle-like crystals in sprays.

Natrolite specimen — Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How to identify natrolite

Clear to white needles in radiating sprays.
Square cross-section on larger crystals.
Light and brittle.

Often confused with

Scolecite
Scolecite looks very similar; a lab is usually needed.
Compare side by side
Okenite
Okenite is soft and fluffy.
Compare side by side

Where it's found

New Jersey
Kola Peninsula, Russia
San Benito County, California

Uses

Collector specimens.

Rock tumbling

Not suitable for tumbling.

Did you know?

California's blue benitoite crystals sit on a bed of white natrolite.

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