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Formula: Ca2[Al4Si8O24].13H2O
Tectosilicate (framework silicate),
chabazite-levyne subgroup,
zeolite group
Crystal system: Triclinic
Specific gravity: 2.05 to 2.2 measured, 2.035 calculated
Hardness: 4 to 5
Streak: White
Colour: Colourless, white, yellow, pink, red
Solubility: Decomposed by hydrochloric acid with separation of silica
Environments
Volcanic igneous environments
Sedimentary environments
Metamorphic environments
Hydrothermal environments
Chabazite-Ca is the most common member of the chabazite series. It occurs in volcanic rocks such as
basalts and andesite;
it is rarer in limestones and
schists; hydrothermally deposited in cavities and joints in ore veins
and in tuff in lake deposits, altered from volcanic glass.
Associated minerals include other zeolites,
nepheline, melilite,
olivine, pyroxenes,
amphiboles, axinite,
epidote, calcite,
tridymite and dolomite
(HOM).
Localities
At Rollinsons Quarry, Victoria, Australia, late forming chabazite-Ca was found in some cavities in
basalt associated
with augite and anorthoclase
(AJM 16.2.99).
The type locality is Col de Lares, San Nicolò Valley, San Giovanni di Fassa, Trento Province, Trentino-Alto Adige,
Italy.
At Palabora, South Africa, chabazite-Ca is found associated with
analcime,
fluorapophyllite and
heulandite
(R&M 92.5.436).
At a road cut prehnite occurrence on the Russell-Hermon Road, St Lawrence
County, New York, USA, chabazite-Ca occurs rarely, associated with
quartz and
calcite
(R&M 87.6.541).
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