Class : Silicates
    Subclass : Tectosilicates
    Crystal system : Orthorhombic
    Chemistry : Na₂Ca₂Al₆Si₉O₃₀ 8H₂O
    Rarity : Common

Mesolite is a mineral from the zeolite group, more especially "elongated zeolites". It has an intermediate composition between that of scolecite and that of natrolite, to which it is structurally related. Mesolite is mainly found in cavities of volcanic rocks, most often basalts, as well as in certain hydrothermal veins. Its name comes from the Greek mesos (middle) and lithos (stone), in allusion to its intermediate composition between natrolite and scolecite. Mesolite is transparent to translucent, colorless or white, sometimes grayish, it forms fibrous to acicular crystals, frequently united in delicate tufts or divergent fibrous aggregates.

Main photo : Mesolite de Pune, Maharashtra, India © Mike Royal

Twins are known on {010} and on {100}.

No fakes recorded for this mineral species.