Analcime occurs very abundantly at MSH in several environments. Some of the largest and perhaps the best specimens for the species have been found at Mont Saint-Hilaire.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
- Color is usually colorless on smaller crystals and white or gray on
the larger crystals.
- Luster is vitreous.
- Diaphaneity is transparent on smaller crystals and translucent to
opaque on larger crystals.
- Crystal System is isometric with several space groups.
- Crystal Habits include excellent trapezohedra to 25cm, distorted
trapezohedra and as large pseudomorphs to 15cm, consisting
of crystalline masses of small crystals of analcime.
- Cleavage {001} is poor.
- Fracture is subconchoidal.
- Hardness is 5 – 5.5.
- Specific Gravity is approximately 2.25 g/cm3.
- Streak is white.
- Associated Minerals include a wide variety of associated minerals
due to its widespread occurrence. - Distinguishing Features: crystal habit and forms.
- Origin: Named in 1801 from the Greek analkis, weak, alluding to the
weak electrostatic charge that develops when it is heated or rubbed.
Dana class # | 77.1.1.1 – Tectosilicates; zeolites, zeolite group |
Strunz class # | VIII/J.27-10 – Silicates; tectosilicates (network), with zeolite-structure, bladed zeolites; zeolite group, analcime – paulingite series |