The chemical formula of mineral Scolecite is indicated by CaAl2Si3O10 – 3H2O or Hydrated Calcium Aluminum Silicate. Scolecite is actually a Silicate mineral. Scolecite is usually used as mineral specimen and it is often found showing nice and interesting microscope images when viewed with the aid of polarizing microscopes. It is also used as chemical filter. Scolecite is somewhat rare but it is actually a popular mineral among collectors. Scolecite is commonly found as sprays of radiating crystals that can be found more interesting when viewed under polarized microscopes for mineralogists. Scolecite is a zeolite mineral.

 

            As a zeolite mineral, Scolecite has the typical zeolite openness about it that allows large ions and molecules to reside and move around inside the overall framework of the mineral. The structure of Scolecite contains open channels that allow water and large ions to travel into and out of the crystal structure. The size of the channels is the ones that control the size of the ions or molecules. Thus, just like other zeolites, Scolecite can act as chemical sieve. The structure of zeolite contains aligned chains of silicate tetrahedrons.

 

            Mineral Scolecite is most commonly found clear or white and it appears more interesting when viewed with the aid of polarizing microscopes for mineralogists. Scolecite is also usually found showing vitreous to silky luster when viewed with the aid of petrographic polarizing microscope used in optical mineralogy. Most crystals of mineral Scolecite are found transparent to translucent in appearance. It is also known to crystallize in the monoclinic system of crystal formation. In optical mineralogy, the monoclinic system of crystal formation comprises crystals having three axes of unequal lengths. Two of which are usually found in a position that is oblique or not perpendicular to one another. However, both of which are commonly found perpendicular to the third axis.

 The crystal habits of mineral Scolecite as described in the field of optical mineralogy usually include sprays of thin acicular crystals with slanted terminations. It also occurs in radiating fibrous clusters that can be seen more fascinating and interesting when viewed with the aid of petrographic polarizing light microscopes. Scolecite is usually found showing perfect prismatic cleavage in two directions. The cleavage is actually hard to see to small crystal size. Scolecite is also found showing conchoidal fracture when specimen is evaluated under polarizing microscopes used in the field of optical mineralogy. Scolecite is also most commonly found leaving a white streak when specimen is rubbed on a white porcelain streak plate. The specific gravity measure of the mineral is approximately 2.2 grams per cubic centimeters, which is very light. The best field indicators of mineral Scolecite usually include hardness, associations, crystal habit and density. Scolecite is most commonly found associated with other interesting minerals including quartz, babingtonite, apophyllite, heulandites, stilbite and other zeolite. Scolecite is usually found forming in volcanic bubbles called vesicles along with other zeolites. Scolecite notably occurs at several localities including Poona, India as well as California, Iceland, Scotland and Brazil.