Product description

An exceptional large-format Scolecite formation from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India, featuring unusually substantial white-to-colorless prismatic crystals interwoven across an exposed basalt cavity. Unlike the fine needles and delicate radiating sprays commonly associated with scolecite, this specimen contains broad, highly visible crystals that create a bold architectural display. The primary face is densely filled with elongated scolecite crystals extending vertically, horizontally, and diagonally across the cavity. Numerous crystals overlap into an open lattice, leaving natural windows between the larger prisms and revealing additional mineral growth deeper within the formation. Several dominant crystals cross the center of the specimen. Their broad sides, visible longitudinal structure, translucent interiors, and glassy reflections make the individual crystal habit easy to examine without magnification. Thinner secondary crystals occupy the spaces between these larger forms. The upper-right section contains a tall group of nearly parallel scolecite crystals rising along the basalt wall. These crystals form a structural crown above the more chaotic central intergrowth, creating a strong transition from ordered vertical growth to the crossed crystal architecture below. Along the opposite side, additional large prisms emerge from protected recesses in the host. Some extend nearly horizontally through the formation, while others rise at steep angles and intersect neighboring crystals. This multidirectional arrangement gives the specimen considerable three-dimensional depth. Its coloration ranges from icy white and pale cream to softly translucent gray and colorless sections. Select crystals reveal brighter glassy faces and internal reflections, while fine white secondary growth creates a frostlike texture across portions of the larger prisms. The basalt host has been broadly cut and shaped into a rounded, shield-like profile. Dark gray, olive-gray, and brown volcanic material remains visible around the perimeter and across the reverse, creating powerful contrast against the pale scolecite. A thin white mineralized boundary follows the irregular edge between the basalt and crystal-filled cavity. Small cream, tan, and iron-toned areas remain visible along this contact zone, preserving part of the specimen’s natural geological context. The broad reverse displays fine parallel preparation lines across the basalt, while the flattened base allows the specimen to stand upright without an added mount. This preparation reveals the internal crystallization while retaining enough volcanic host to frame and support the scolecite. Measuring approximately 4 × 3 × 4 inches and weighing 1.11 pounds, this substantial cabinet specimen combines uncommon crystal size, extensive coverage, bold visual contrast, and a ready-to-display table-cut presentation. “Large-format” is used descriptively to distinguish the specimen’s unusually broad and visually substantial scolecite crystals from the much finer needle-like growth commonly seen in the material. It does not represent a separate mineral variety. Specifications Primary mineral: Scolecite Host material: Basalt Formation: Large intergrown prismatic scolecite crystals filling an exposed basalt cavity Locality: Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India Weight: 1.11 lbs, approximately 504 grams Dimensions: Approximately 4 × 3 × 4 inches Color: Icy white, colorless, pale cream, translucent gray, olive-gray, charcoal, tan, and brown Crystal habit: Elongated prismatic-to-bladed scolecite with visible longitudinal structure Primary face: Dense multidirectional lattice of large overlapping crystals Upper formation: Group of tall, nearly parallel scolecite crystals rising along the basalt wall Central formation: Broad crystals crossing vertically, horizontally, and diagonally Secondary growth: Smaller scolecite crystals and fine white mineralization between the dominant prisms Cavity architecture: Open spaces and recessed passages between the intergrown crystals Host contact: Pale mineralized boundary with localized cream, tan, and iron-toned areas Luster: Silky-to-vitreous with glassy reflections across select crystal faces Transparency: Translucent-to-opaque, with clearer areas visible through thinner crystal sections Chemical formula: CaAl₂Si₃O₁₀·3H₂O Mineral group: Zeolite group Crystal system: Monoclinic Mohs hardness: Approximately 5–5.5 Reverse: Broad table-cut basalt surface with visible parallel preparation lines Base: Prepared for stable upright presentation Display size: Cabinet specimen Condition: Natural geological specimen with inherent crystal contacts, incomplete crystals, broken or shortened terminations, internal fractures, inclusions, surface deposits, color variation, irregular edges, and preparation marks associated with cutting and shaping Exact specimen shown About Large-Format Scolecite Scolecite is a calcium-aluminum silicate belonging to the zeolite group. It is most familiar as slender white needles arranged in radiating sprays, fibrous clusters, and spherical formations. Under favorable growth conditions, scolecite can also develop as thicker prismatic crystals with substantially broader faces. These large-format crystals preserve the mineral’s elongated habit but produce a much heavier and more architectural appearance than the extremely fine sprays commonly encountered. This specimen displays that larger expression especially well. Many individual crystals remain clearly distinguishable across the primary face, allowing their straight edges, longitudinal development, translucency, and intergrowth to be studied without macro magnification. The crossed arrangement indicates that crystals grew inward from several surfaces of the original volcanic cavity. As growth continued, neighboring crystals intersected or contacted one another, producing the complex lattice preserved in the exposed formation. Natural contacts and incomplete ends are expected in a densely crystallized cavity of this type. Some crystals would have intersected other growth during formation, while others were exposed when the basalt host was opened and prepared. About the Jalgaon Basalt Formation Jalgaon lies within Maharashtra’s Deccan volcanic province, an enormous sequence of ancient basalt flows. Gas trapped within the cooling lava created open vesicles and larger cavities throughout the volcanic rock. Mineral-rich fluids later circulated through cracks and entered these spaces. Over repeated stages, changes in temperature and fluid chemistry allowed chalcedony, quartz, calcite, zeolites, apophyllite-group minerals, and other secondary minerals to crystallize within the basalt. On this specimen, the dark basalt formed the structural exterior while the large scolecite crystals developed within the open cavity. The remaining host provides both physical support and an important visual record of the volcanic environment. “Table cut” refers to the specimen’s preparation. The basalt was broadly cut and shaped to expose the crystal-filled interior and provide a stable display base. Visible saw lines and shaping marks across the reverse are normal characteristics of this presentation style. Although scolecite has a Mohs hardness of approximately 5–5.5, its elongated crystals can still be damaged by impact or side pressure. Handle the specimen by the solid basalt host, avoid lifting it by the crystals, and clean it only with a gentle air blower or exceptionally soft, dry brush. Collector Notes This specimen features: Natural scolecite in basalt from Jalgaon, India Unusually large-format scolecite crystals Broad prismatic-to-bladed crystal habit Dense crystal coverage Multidirectional intergrowth Large vertical, horizontal, and diagonal prisms Tall upper crystal group Open lattice architecture Natural windows between the crystals Additional recessed mineral growth Icy-white and pale-cream coloration Translucent crystal sections Bright glassy reflections Visible longitudinal crystal structure Fine frostlike secondary growth Strong contrast against the dark basalt Mineralized basalt-to-scolecite boundary Broad table-cut volcanic host Stable freestanding base Substantial 1.11-pound cabinet size Approximately 4-inch display profile Dramatically different crystal and basalt views Exact specimen pictured An excellent choice for collectors of scolecite, Indian zeolites, Jalgaon minerals, Maharashtra specimens, large prismatic crystals, basalt-cavity minerals, table-cut specimens, and architectural mineral formations. Professionally packaged and shipped from Colorado.You will receive the exact specimen shown.Thank you for supporting our family-owned small business.

Shipping & policies