Stilbite with Fluorapophyllite-K

specimen number:
2292109

location:
Pune, Maharashtra, India

description:
Lustrous crystals of stilbite to 4.0 cm in size across the top of this matrix with light green blocky pseudo-cubic crystals of gemmy apophyllite-K. In good condition.

The Pune district, located in the state of Maharashtra, India, is globally renowned in mineralogy for producing exceptional silicate and zeolite minerals within its extensive industrial stone quarries. Geologically, the region sits entirely on the Western Ghats section of the Deccan Traps, a massive flood basalt province of Cretaceous to early Eocene age formed by successive layers of volcanic lava flows. As these thick basaltic flows cooled, trapped volcanic gases formed large, open vesicular cavities (vugs) that were later filled by low-temperature hydrothermal fluids, precipitating magnificent crystals of green apophyllite, cavansite, stilbite, heulandite, and scolecite. While the region does not host traditional metallic underground mines, massive open-pit quarrying operations for basalt road aggregate and building stone began expanding dramatically in the mid-twentieth century to support regional urbanization. Intermittent and active quarrying at landmark localities like Wagholi, Pashan, and Yerandwane peaked between the 1970s and the early 2000s, with many municipal quarries closing or relocating in recent decades due to urban sprawl, though surrounding rural sectors continue active stone extraction into the present day.

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