Chabazite

specimen number:
9302260

location:
Naalso, Faroe Islands

description:

Colorless lustrous crystals of chabazite to 0.4 cm in size very rich across the front of matrix. In good condition, neat locality example for the species. The specimen comes with several antique labels as shown at the end of the video.

The Faroe Islands, an archipelago located in the North Atlantic between Scotland and Iceland, are a premier global locality for the zeolite mineral chabazite. Geologically, the islands are composed of massive layers of Paleogene-aged basaltic lavas that formed during the opening of the North Atlantic Ocean. Within these basalts, hydrothermal activity and the weathering of volcanic glass led to the formation of numerous amygdaloidal cavities filled with secondary minerals. The chabazite from this region is particularly famous for its well-defined, rhombohedral crystals that often appear nearly cubic, a habit frequently referred to as "phacolite" when the crystals are lens-shaped and twinned. These specimens are typically colorless, white, or a delicate shade of flesh-red, and they are prized for their sharp crystal edges and vitreous luster. Historically, the islands have been a major source of study for zeolites since the 19th century, with localities such as Streymoy and Eysturoy providing specimens to major museum collections worldwide. Today, the Faroe Islands remain a classic reference point for high-quality chabazite, representing a perfectly preserved record of the volcanic processes that shaped the North Atlantic igneous province.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.