Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2007-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
pectolite

Chemical Group:    silicate

Chemical Formula:    Ca₂NaSi₃O₈(OH)

Color:  colorless, white, gray, pale blue           Streak: 

Transparency:  transparent to translucent

Hardness:   5       Specific Gravity:   2.7 to 2.8                  

Luster:   vitreous to silky        Fracture:

Cleavage:  basal cleavage and (100)

Crystal Forms:  Triclinic system

Mineral Habits:  Often found with a radiating structure, fibrous appearance  

Mineral Associations:  Pectolite occurs in a mode similar to zeolites (filling amygdaloidal cavities). 

Identifying Characteristics: 

Uses:  as a pale blue chatoyant gemstone, larimar

Occurrences:    New Jersey

Toxicity:      when-swallowed-                            when inhaled-

Additional Information: