Stilbite-Na
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Stilbite-Na
Formula:
Na9(Si27Al9)O72 · 28H2O
Usually not pure, but containing also minor K and Ca. Formula also given as (Na,Ca,K)6-7[Al8Si28O72] · nH2O.
Colour:
White, colourless, red, light yellow, light to dark brown, cream
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
2.1 - 2.2
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1797 by Jean Claude de la Métherie from Greek στιλβη "stilbein", to glitter or shine, or "stilbe", a mirror, alluding to its pearly or vitreous luster. Originally, but inconsistently called zeolite in 1756 by Axel Cronstedt. Named crystalii ad centrum tendentes in 1758 by Cronstedt. In 1772, Johan Gottschalk Wallerius called this mineral zeolite selenitica lamellaris. Also in 1797, de la Métherie called this mineral zeolite nacrée. Werner (1780) called this mineral strehliger zeolith. Rene Just Haüy (1801) used the term stilbite anamorphique for a mineral now recognized as heulandite. Desmine was introduced in 1818 by Johann Friedrich August Breithaupt. Sphaerostilbite was used in 1832 by François Sulpice Beudant. Additional varietal names and synonyms have been proposed: blättricher zeolit, hypostilbite, puflerite, radiated zeolite, and syhedrite. Chemical suffixes were added by the IMA.
Zeolite Group.
Note: due to the high Na content, the monoclinic C2/m symmetry of stilbite is retained, in contrast to the chemically similar, but Na-free stellerite which is orthorhombic.
Note: due to the high Na content, the monoclinic C2/m symmetry of stilbite is retained, in contrast to the chemically similar, but Na-free stellerite which is orthorhombic.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
7314
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:7314:7
Similar Names
| Stilbite-Ca | A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered | NaCa4(Si27Al9)O72 · 28H2O |
IMA Classification of Stilbite-Na
Approved
IMA Formula:
Na9(Si27Al9)O72·28H2O
Classification of Stilbite-Na
9.GE.10
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
E : Chains of T10O20 Tetrahedra
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
G : Tektosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
E : Chains of T10O20 Tetrahedra
Dana 7th ed.:
77.1.4.3
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Stb-Na | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Stb | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
| Stb | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
| Stb | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
| Stb | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
| Stb | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Physical Properties of Stilbite-Na
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
White, colourless, red, light yellow, light to dark brown, cream
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on the {010}
Perfect on the {010}
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
2.1 - 2.2 g/cm3 (Measured) 2.2 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Stilbite-Na
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.479 - 1.492 nβ = 1.485 - 1.5 nγ = 1.489 - 1.505
2V:
Measured: 22° to 79°, Calculated: 76° to 78°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.010 - 0.013
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate (negative)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Dispersion:
weak
Chemistry of Stilbite-Na
Mindat Formula:
Na9(Si27Al9)O72 · 28H2O
Usually not pure, but containing also minor K and Ca. Formula also given as (Na,Ca,K)6-7[Al8Si28O72] · nH2O.
Usually not pure, but containing also minor K and Ca. Formula also given as (Na,Ca,K)6-7[Al8Si28O72] · nH2O.
Element Weights:
Crystallography of Stilbite-Na
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 13.63 Å, b = 18.17 Å, c = 11.31 Å
β = 129.166°
β = 129.166°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.75 : 1 : 0.622
Unit Cell V:
2,171.67 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
1
Comment:
Pseudo-orthorhombic F-centred (as is stilbite-Ca).
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000894 | Stilbite-Na | Mortier W J (1983) Thermal stability of the stilbite-type framework: crystal structure of the dehydrated sodium/ammonium exchange form American Mineralogist 68 414-419 |  | 1983 | 0 | 293 | |
| 0000201 | Stilbite-Na | Slaughter M (1970) Crystal structure of stilbite American Mineralogist 55 387-397 | | 1970 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust | >4.50 |
| 8 : Mafic igneous rocks | |
| Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
| 12 : Hadean hydrothermal subsurface sulfide deposits (see also #33) | |
| Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
| 47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] |
Type Occurrence of Stilbite-Na
Other Language Names for Stilbite-Na
Relationship of Stilbite-Na to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Stilbite Subgroup:
| Barrerite | Na2(Si7Al2)O18 · 6H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) |
| Stellerite | Ca4(Si28Al8)O72 · 28H2O | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Fmmm |
| Stilbite-Ca | NaCa4(Si27Al9)O72 · 28H2O | Mon. 2/m : B2/m |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 7 photos of Stilbite-Na associated with Fluorapophyllite-(K) | KCa4(Si8O20)(F,OH) · 8H2O |
| 7 photos of Stilbite-Na associated with Heulandite Subgroup | (Na/Ca/K)5-6[Al8-9 Si27-28 O72] · nH2O |
| 3 photos of Stilbite-Na associated with 'Smoky Quartz' | SiO2 |
| 2 photos of Stilbite-Na associated with Scolecite | CaAl2Si3O10 · 3H2O |
| 2 photos of Stilbite-Na associated with Apophyllite Group | AB4[Si8O20]X · 8H2O |
| 2 photos of Stilbite-Na associated with Orthoclase | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 2 photos of Stilbite-Na associated with 'Fluorapophyllite' | |
| 1 photo of Stilbite-Na associated with Fluorapophyllite-(Cs) | CsCa4(Si8O20)F · 8H2O |
| 1 photo of Stilbite-Na associated with Prehnite | Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 |
| 1 photo of Stilbite-Na associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 9.GE.05 | Heulandite-Ca | (Ca,Na)5(Si27Al9)O72 · 26H2O |
| 9.GE.05 | Heulandite-K | (K,Ca,Na)5(Si27Al9)O72 · 26H2O |
| 9.GE.05 | Heulandite-Na | (Na,Ca,K)6(Si,Al)36O72 · 22H2O |
| 9.GE.05 | Heulandite-Sr | (Sr,Na,Ca)5(Si27Al9)O72 · 24H2O |
| 9.GE.05 | Heulandite-Ba | (Ba,Ca,K)5(Si27Al9)O72 · 22H2O |
| 9.GE.05 | Clinoptilolite-Ca | Ca3(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O |
| 9.GE.05 | Clinoptilolite-K | K6(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O |
| 9.GE.05 | Clinoptilolite-Na | Na6(Si30Al6)O72 · 20H2O |
| 9.GE.10 | Stilbite-Ca | NaCa4(Si27Al9)O72 · 28H2O |
| 9.GE.15 | Barrerite | Na2(Si7Al2)O18 · 6H2O |
| 9.GE.15 | Stellerite | Ca4(Si28Al8)O72 · 28H2O |
| 9.GE.20 | Brewsterite-Ba | Ba(Al2Si6)O16 · 5H2O |
| 9.GE.20 | Brewsterite-Sr | Sr(Al2Si6)O16 · 5H2O |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Stilbite-Na
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-7314.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Stilbite-Na
Reference List:
Galli, E. (1971) Refinement of the crystal structure of stilbite. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Crystallography and Crystal Chemistry, 27 (4) 833-841 doi:10.1107/s056774087100298x
Passaglia, Elio, Galli, Ermanno, Leoni, Leonardo, Rossi, Giuseppe (1978) The crystal chemistry of stilbites and stellerites. Bulletin de Minéralogie, 101 (3) 368-375 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1978.7200
Cruciani, Giuseppe, Artioli, Gilberto, Gualtieri, Alessandro, Stahl, Kenny, Hanson, Jonathan C. (1997) Dehydration dynamics of stilbite using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. American Mineralogist, 82 (7) 729-739 doi:10.2138/am-1997-7-810
Coombs, Douglas S., Alberti, Alberto, Armbruster, Thomas, Artioli, Gilberto, Colella, Carmine, Galli, Ermanno, Grice, Joel D., Liebau, Friedrich, Mandarino, Joseph A., Minato, Hideo, et al. (1997) Recommended nomenclature for zeolite minerals; report of the Subcommittee on Zeolites of the International Mineralogical Association, Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. The Canadian Mineralogist, 35 (6). 1571-1606
Localities for Stilbite-Na
Showing 20 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| South Australian Museum collection |
| |
Germany | |
| Baumgärtl (2014) |
India | |
| various added photos +2 other references |
Italy | |
| Excalibur Mineral Corp. - Mineral News |
| Albertini (2000) |
| Pongiluppi (1974) +2 other references |
| Pongiluppi (1974) +4 other references | |
Japan | |
| Ueno and Hanada (1982) |
Mexico | |
| Peter Megaw specimens |
| Megaw (2023) |
| Megaw (2023) |
Namibia | |
| Gerhard Louw photo ID 970055 |
Norway | |
| Husdal (2023) |
Spain | |
| Dill et al. (2023) |
USA | |
| June 1997 +3 other references |
| Rocks & Min.: 10:111 +4 other references |
| Bullock (1981) |
| Cannon (1975) |
| Cannon (1975) |
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Capo di Pula, Pula, Metropolitan City of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy