Harmotome

Monoclinic  Images    

   
   
  Formula (Ba,Ca,K,Na)2(Si,Al)8O16 • 6H2O
  Optic class & sign Biaxial positive
  Optical orientation X at a high angle to a, Y near b, Z = b
  Optical plane Orthogonal to (010)
  Relief Low-negative
  Refractive indices nx = 1.503 -1.506
ny = 1.505 -1.509
nz = 1.508 -1.514
  Birefringence   (max.)0.005  - 0.008
   
  Optic Angle 2Vx
2Vz = 79° - 
  Sign of elongation 
  Interference figure Broad, diffuse isogyres; high 2V
  Colour /   pleochroism Colourless
  Zoning -

  Form  Habit Granular, columnar-prismatic, tabular, radiating aggregates; twinning resulting in pseudo-orthorhombic, pseudo-tetragonal and pseudo-cubic forms
  Surface Commonly euhedral
  Cleavage {010}, {100}
  Twinning Generally twinned; single and double penetration twins on {001}, {201} and (011)
  Extinction Inclined to crystal faces and twin planes in random sections

  Reaction textures  
  Alteration /   decomposition 

  Occurence     Ign 
  Met 
  Sed Laterite
  Hyd Vesicle and fracture fillings in silica-deficient volcanic rocks (including basalts, phonolites, trachytes); hydrothermal ore veins
  Other 

  Distinctive   properties               Habit and twinning; opticallly hardly distinguishable from phillipsite
Note: Reliable identification of zeolite species may require chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, and/or DTA
  Additional   comments n-Δn chart: Anl – analcime, Cbz – chabazite, Fau – faujasite, Gis - gismondine,
Gme – gmelinite, Hrm – harmotome, Php – phillipsite, Wrk - wairakite