Goosecreekite with Stilbite
specimen number:
2072084
location:
Alibaug, Maharashtra, India
description: Goosecreekite is a rare calcium aluminosilicate mineral belonging to the zeolite group. It was first discovered and described in 1980 from the Goose Creek Quarry in Loudoun County, Virginia, USA, which serves as its type locality. Geologically, it forms as a secondary mineral within the cavities and vesicles of basaltic or diabase rocks, typically resulting from low-grade metamorphism or hydrothermal activity. The mineral is characterized by its monoclinic crystal system, often appearing as small, colorless to white, pearly or vitreous crystals with a distinct tabular or bladed habit. Unlike more common zeolites, goosecreekite is chemically unique due to its specific framework structure, which consists of four-membered and eight-membered rings of tetrahedra. While the Virginia specimens are the historical standard, exceptional examples have also been recovered from the basalt quarries of the Deccan Traps in Maharashtra, India. In these localities, goosecreekite is frequently found in aesthetic association with other zeolites like stilbite, heulandite, or apophyllite, and it remains a highly sought-after species for specialized mineral collectors due to its rarity and delicate crystal forms.
A very good richly crystallized example for the species with colorless lustrous crystallized goosecreekite mostly covering the top of a crystallized quartz matrix with crystals of stilbite. In good condition.
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