Tschernichite

specimen number:
2133220

location:
Neer Road Pit, Goble, Columbia, Oregon, USA

description:
Good example for this rare zeolite species, a cluster of crystal 0.3 cm across set in a small pocket within a basalt matrix.

Tschernichite is a rare zeolite mineral that was first discovered and described from the Goble area in Columbia County, Oregon. Geologically, it forms as a secondary mineral within the gas vesicles or cavities of basaltic volcanic rocks, often occurring alongside other zeolites like levyne or phillipsite. It is chemically identified as a hydrated calcium, magnesium, and aluminum silicate, representing the natural analogue of the synthetic zeolite Beta. The mineral typically appears as small, colorless to white, translucent crystals that exhibit a distinctive dipyramidal or pseudo-octahedral habit, sometimes forming rounded or "snowball" clusters. Historically, it was named in 1991 to honor Rudy Tschernich, a prominent expert on the zeolites of the Pacific Northwest. While it has no industrial use, tschernichite is highly sought after by systematic mineral collectors due to its rarity and its unique relationship to high-tech synthetic catalysts used in the petrochemical industry.

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