THE MINERAL STELLERITE
- Chemistry: CaAl2Si7O18-7H2O, Hydrated calcium aluminum silicate
- Class: Silicates
- Subclass: Tektosilicates
- Group: Zeolites
- Uses: mineral specimen and chemical filter
Specimens
Like stilbite, stellerite crystals can aggregate together to form a structure resembling wheat sheafs. This hourglass structure looks like several crystals stacked parallel to each other with the tops and bottoms of this structure fanning out while the middle remains thin. More commonly stellerite is found in rounded radiating clusters or as single crystals. Stellerite and stilbite are almost identical is certain situations. Stellerite however appears more transparent and is usually uncolored.
Stellerite's structure has a typical zeolite openness about it that allows large ions and molecules to reside and actually move around inside the overall framework. The structure contains open channels that allow water and large ions to travel into and out of the crystal structure. The size of these channels controls the size of the molecules or ions and therefore a zeolite like stellerite can act as a chemical sieve. Stellerite's structure contains rings of alumino-silicate tetrahedrons oriented in one direction and this produces the prominant pinacoid faces, the perfect cleavage and the unique luster on those faces.
Stellerite can form nice crystals inside geodes (the petrified bubbles called vesicles) of volcanic rocks that have undergone a small amount of metamorphism.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
- Color is colorless or white and rarely tinted pink, yellow or brown.
- Luster is vitreous to pearly especially on the prominant pinacoid and cleavage surfaces.
- Transparency: crystals are transparent to less commonly translucent.
- Crystal System is monoclinic; 2/m
- Crystal Habits include radiating nodules and platy often thin crystals that can aggregate together into a wheat sheaflike structure. The prominant pinacoid is sometimes but rarely modified by other pinacoid and prism faces.
- Cleavage is perfect in one direction parallel to the prominant pinacoid.
- Fracture is uneven.
- Hardness is 3.5.
- Specific Gravity is approximately 2.2 (very light)
- Streak is white.
- Associated Minerals are quartz, calcite, apophyllite, babingtonite, heulandite, stilbite, natrolite and other zeolites.
- Notable Occurrences include Poona, India; New Jersey and Nova Scotia.
- Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, luster, density and associations.
 Amethyst Galleries' Mineral Gallery MINERALS |
STELLERITE specimen ste-1
$ 75.00
$ 75.00
Dims: 2" x 2" x 1-1/2"
Wt: 3.7 oz
Soholovskoje, Dzezkazgan, Kazakhstan
This rare specimen boasts spectacular ball-like clusters of Stellerite, a Zeolite mineral that I could not find in five of the most popular rock and mineral guides! The clusters are about 3/4 inch in diameter, a slightly-brown orange color, and have crystals showing a vitreous luster and excellent form. On one side of the specimen is a cluster of Chabazite crystals, another Zeolite mineral that looks like orange rhombohedrons. The other side confused me for a moment until I could examine the specimen under 15x magnification. Then I saw hundreds of transparent Stilbite crystals clustered together. I doubt that most people have even heard of Stellerite, much less seen a specimen of it, and here we have one available to you!
ste-1 ($ 75.00)
Soholovskoje, Dzezkazgan, Kazakhstan
STELLERITE specimen ste-2
$ 21.00
$ 21.00
Dims: 0.7" x 0.7" x 0.5"(1.8 x 1.8 x 1.3 cm)
Wt: 3.7 g. w/ foam base
Soholovskoje, Dzezkazgan, Kazakhstan
A single round cluster of Stellerite constitutes this specimen from the Middle Eastern country of Kazakhstan. These crystals have aggregated together into small "sprays" of crystals, which then grew in an acicular fashion to create round clusters. This particular cluster has a dull orange color, pearly luster, and good translucence. The "sprays" are generally about 0.4"(1.0 cm) in length and expand to 1/4"(6 mm) in width at their terminations. This particular specimen has to little host rock to identify and is attached to a plastic specimen box.
ste-2 ($ 21.00)
Soholovskoje, Dzezkazgan, Kazakhstan
STELLERITE specimen ste-4
$ 30.00
$ 30.00
Dims: 0.9" x 0.9" x 0.6"(2.3 x 2.3 x 1.5 cm)
Wt: 11.4 g. w/ specimen box
Soholovskoje, Dzezkazgan, Kazakhstan
One large acicular cluster of Stellerite crystals comprises the bulk of this specimen. Actually, the crystals are compacted together into "sprays", and these sprays are further compacted into the cluster, which has a generally round shape. Looking at the reverse of the specimen, one can see the acicular habit of the crystals, including the point of radiation; this is because the cluster has been broken almost cleanly in half. The crystals average about 1/2"(1.3 cm) long, and are a light orange in color. Their terminations have a definitely vitreous luster. There is a small amount of host rock present that is coated with many tiny calcite cubes. The specimen has been glued into a plastic specimen box for protection.
ste-4 ($ 30.00)
Soholovskoje, Dzezkazgan, Kazakhstan
STELLERITE specimen ste-5
$ 40.00
$ 40.00
Dims: 3.7" x 2.1" x 1.4"(9.4 x 5.3 x 3.6 cm)
Wt: 3.99 oz.(113.3 g)
Poona, India
This specimen constitutes the largest example of Stellerite that I have seen. It occurs in the form of part of a very large, round orb made up of many radiating crystals, which is standard for this mineral. The orbicular cluster is not even half complete, yet covers a 1.5"(3.8 cm) square area. A smaller one is adjacent to it on the basalt host. One can see the radiating habit of the Stellerite on the underside of the specimen. Both show a pearly luster, white color, and are translucent. A few colorless calcite crystals rest near the clusters. They show excellent clarity, a vitreous luster, and one seems to have evidence of twinning, in the form of a very symmetrical notch in one edge that was definitely not caused by damage. I suppose that I can find something attractive in just about any specimen that I examine, but I didn't have to look much in this case.
ste-5 ($ 40.00)
Poona, India
STELLERITE specimen ste-7
$ 55.00
$ 55.00
Dims: 2.0" x 1.5" x 1.1"(5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 cm)
Wt: 1.24 oz.(35.4 g)
Sarbayskaya open pit Quarry, near Rudniy, Kustenay Oblast, Kazakhstan
Several round, orange clusters of Stellerite rest on the quartz-coated host rock of this specimen. The largest of these clusters is in a spherical form and is about 60% complete, with a diameter of 0.5"(1.3 cm). The smaller clusters consist of sprays of crystals, where it is easy to see their radiating habit. All have a dull orange color, are translucent, and have a pearly luster. There are a few small spots of damage on the clusters, but they are generally in excellent condition. They rest on a bed of white drusy microcrystalline quartz with a lovely sparkle. A few patches of this quartz are dusted with a pale pink material that has a dull luster and no crystal form that is visible under 10-power magnification. All of this rests on a soft, greenish base rock that strongly resembles a mica of some sort.
ste-7 ($ 55.00)
Sarbayskaya open pit Quarry, near Rudniy, Kustenay Oblast, Kazakhstan
STELLERITE specimen ste-8
$ 65.00
$ 65.00
Dims: 1.6" x 1.4" x 1.0"(6.1 x 3.6 x 2.5 cm)
Wt: 23.0 g
Sarbayskaya open pit Quarry, near Rudniy, Kustenay Oblast, Kazakhstan
This thumbnail specimen consists of a single, round Stellerite cluster on a zeolite bed. The cluster measures 0.9" (2.3 cm) and is in the shape of a sphere that is about 60% complete. It is in very good condition, as there is only one very small spot of damage visible. The crystals that make up the cluster are packed so tightly that I cannot discern one from another. They have a bright orange coloration and a pearly-to-vitreous luster, and are almost transparent. The bed on which this cluster rests appears to be composed of 3 different zeolite minerals. There is the inevitable stilbite, which often accompanys all zeolites, and some rather broken chabazite rhombohedrons. There are also some slightly curved trigonal crystals of colorless gmelinite, an uncommon zeolite. These crystals do not exceed 0.3" (8 mm) in diameter and are transparent and quite clear, with a bright, vitreous luster. Though not the prevailing mineral on the specimen, I think that the gmelinite is its most interesting aspect.
ste-8 ($ 65.00)
Sarbayskaya open pit Quarry, near Rudniy, Kustenay Oblast, Kazakhstan
STELLERITE specimen ste-11
$ 70.00
$ 70.00
Dims: 2.0" x 1.5" x 1.1" (5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 cm)
Wt: 1.93 oz. (54.9 g)
Soholovskoje, Dzezkazgan region, Kazakhstan
This small hand specimen consists of 5 separate and distinct clusters of Stellerite crystals on a calcite-and-pyrite host rock. Four of the clusters are nearly similar in size, having diameters of about 0.5" (1.3 cm), but the other cluster is much smaller, with a diameter of only 0.3" (8 mm). Three of the larger clusters show visible damage; on the surface of each one is a single, small area of crushing damage. All have a pale orange color and a bright, pearly luster on their termination surfaces, and are translucent. The crystals that make up the smallest cluster are much more loosely arranged than those of the larger, and are easy to study as individuals. There is some crystal form evident in the calcite and pyrite that makes up the host rock, but most of this consists of random faces amidst the damaged and shapeless intergrown mass.
ste-11 ($ 70.00)
Soholovskoje, Dzezkazgan region, Kazakhstan
STELLERITE specimen ste-12
$ 80.00
$ 80.00
Dims: 1.9 x 1.2 x 1.0" (4.8 x 3.0 x 2.5 cm)
Wt: 23.9 g w/ base
Rudniy, Kazakhstan
This thumbnail specimen consists of at least 6 clusters of radiating orthorhombic Stellerite crystals. Two of the clusters are separate and distinct, but the rest are partly intergrown. All are in very good condition, as only a small amount of damage is visible, and the largest cluster has dimensions of 0.6 x 0.5 x 0.4" (1.5 x 1.3 x 1.0 cm), suggesting crystals that are 0.3" (8 mm) long. The crystals, though mostly obscured in their clusters, show good orthorhombic prismatic form, though I personally think that each crystal is actually a "sheaf" of several thin, bladed crystals that are stacked together. All have a uniform dull-orange coloration and a bright pearly luster, and are moderately to dimly translucent in normal light. None of the clusters is completely round due to their intergrowth with the calcite base. This base is made up of both crystalline and stalactitic calcite and is coated with a fine druse of more tiny, transparent calcites (see the close-up image). It is affixed to a square acrylic base with a hot glue.
ste-12 ($ 80.00)
Rudniy, Kazakhstan
STELLERITE specimen ste-13
$ 30.00
$ 30.00
Dims: 1.3 x 1.0 x 0.5" (3.3 x 2.5 x 1.3 cm)
Wt: 20.3 g w/ specimen box
Soholvskoje, Dzezkazgan region, Kazakhstan
At least 2 intersecting partial Stellerite clusters make up this thumbnail specimen. Other than the breakage surfaces where the specimen was separated from its natural surroundings, there is a small amount of visible damage to the surfaces of each cluster. The crystals that make up the clusters are so heavily intergrown that it is impossible to assess their crystal form, but visible termination edges are well-defined and faces are very smooth, possessing a pearly-to-vitreous luster. The Stellerites have the standard deep orange coloration and are generally translucent, though some dim transparence is noticeable through the termination faces. One of the clusters rests on what appears to be a thin calcite crust that which is attached to a smattering of basalt. The specimen is hot-glued inside a plastic specimen box.
ste-13 ($ 30.00)
Soholvskoje, Dzezkazgan region, Kazakhstan
STELLERITE specimen ste-14
$ 30.00
$ 30.00
Dims: 1.5 x 1.3 x 1.1" (3.8 x 3.3 x 2.8 cm)
Wt: 25.5 g
Soholvskoje, Dzezkazgan region, Kazakhstan
Two clusters of intergrown, radiating Stellerite crystals rest on the dull, green host rock of this thumbnail specimen. One of the clusters is broken and mostly incomplete, but the other is in better condition, though also damaged. The larger cluster has visible dimensions of 1.0 x 1.0 x 0.5" (2.5 x 2.5 x 1.3 cm) and is composed of scores of small Stellerite prisms that are mostly intergrown but appear to have very good orthorhombic prismatic form anyway. Their termination edges are well-defined, and their visible faces are clean, possessing a bright, nearly vitreous luster. All have a rather dark, dull brown color and are dimly to moderately translucent, even when gathered in clusters. A bed of lightly intergrown calcite scalenohedra partly covers this cluster- they are colorless, transparent, clear, and have a good form. The green base rock appears to be made of weathered olivine or a related igneous rock.
ste-14 ($ 30.00)
Soholvskoje, Dzezkazgan region, Kazakhstan
STELLERITE specimen ste-15
$ 30.00
$ 30.00
Dims: 1.1 x 1.0 x 0.6" (2.8 x 2.5 x 1.5 cm)
Wt: 11.3 g
Soholvskoje, Dzezkazgan region, Kazakhstan
This piece consists primarily of a single, round cluster of radiating Stellerite crystals that rests on a thin white crust. The cluster essentially makes up the entire piece, and the crystals that it contains do not exceed 0.4" (1.0 cm) in length. All are in excellent condition but are so intergrown that they are impossible to study as individuals. Several tiny Stellerite crystals are gathered at the base of the cluster- these show excellent orthorhombic prismatic form, with well-defined edges and striated but clean faces that possess a bright pearly-to-vitreous luster. The cluster has the deep orange coloration that is common for this mineral, and the small, individual crystals have a paler orange coloration. All are translucent to dimly transparent, though again, the smaller crystals are essentially clearer than the cluster. The Stellerite appears to be accompanied by many chabazite crystals, most of which are broken or incomplete, and the thin white crust on which they rest appears to be made of calcite.
ste-15 ($ 30.00)
Soholvskoje, Dzezkazgan region, Kazakhstan
STELLERITE specimen ste-16
$ 40.00
$ 40.00
Dims: 2.1 x 1.5 x 1.5" (5.3 x 3.8 x 3.8 cm)
Wt: 1.93 oz. (54.8 g)
Soholvskoje, Dzezkazgan region, Kazakhstan
Four clusters of radiating Stellerite crystals rest in the calcitic host rock of this specimen. One of the clusters is very small, broken, and incomplete, but the other clusters are in excellent condition, showing no damage, and reach diameters of 0.6" (1.5 cm). Each is made up of several partly intergrown crystals that have good orthorhombic bladed form. All have the standard dull orange coloration and bright pearly luster of their species, and are translucent. The host rock in which they are embedded appears to be made up of intergrown crystals of several different minerals, but the most prevalent is calcite. There are also small amounts of stilbite, chabazite, and even basalt present.
ste-16 ($ 40.00)
Soholvskoje, Dzezkazgan region, Kazakhstan
STELLERITE specimen ste-17
$ 30.00
$ 30.00
Dims: 2.3 x 1.4 x 1.4" (5.8 x 3.6 x 3.6 cm)
Wt: 2.23 oz. (63.2 g)
Soholvskoje, Dzezkazgan region, Kazakhstan
A single round Stellerite cluster rests on the siliceous host rock of this large thumbnail specimen. It has a diameter of approximately 0.7" (1.8 cm) and is in good condition, showing no appreciable damage. The cluster is made up of many intergrown, radiating Stellerite crystals that show reasonably good orthorhombic bladed form. All have an orange color with a hint of brown and a bright pearly luster, and are at least translucent. They are accompanied by several broken and incomplete chabazite crystals that have a brighter orange color. The host rock is dull and contains a substantial amount of calcite and some pyrite.
ste-17 ($ 30.00)
Soholvskoje, Dzezkazgan region, Kazakhstan
STELLERITE specimen ste-18
$ 50.00
$ 50.00
Dims: 1.8 x 1.3 x 1.2" (4.6 x 3.3 x 3.0 cm)
Wt: 2.64 oz. (74.9 g)
Soholovskoje, Dzezkazgan region, Kazakhstan
A single, large and rounded cluster of radiating Stellerites rests on the basalt base of this hand specimen. The cluster has dimensions of 1.0 x 1.0 x 0.4" (2.5 x 2.5 x 0.9 cm) and is in excellent condition, showing no damage. The crystals that make up the cluster are heavily intergrown but appear to show very good monoclinic form- they are brown in color, have a dull luster, and are dimly transparent as individuals. The cluster rests on a bed of tiny calcites that have exceptional trigonal prismatic form.
ste-18 ($ 50.00)
Soholovskoje, Dzezkazgan region, Kazakhstan
STELLERITE specimen ste-19
$ 25.00
$ 25.00
Dims: 1.3 x 1.1 x 0.8" (2.8 x 2.2 x 2.0 cm)
Wt: 9.0 g w/ specimen box
Soholovskoje, Dzezkazgan, Kazakhstan
Three Stellerite clusters rest on the apophyllite and stilbite base of this thumbnail piece. The largest of these clusters has dimensions of 0.6 x 0.5 x 0.4" (1.4 x 1.3 x 1.0 cm), and the smallest shows the only damage, being incomplete. Each contains several semi-compact, radiating Stellerite blades. These blades have a slightly brownish-orange coloration and the standard bright pearly luster, and are translucent to dimly transparent, depending on their intergrowth. The piece is hot-glued inside a plastic specimen box.
ste-19 ($ 25.00)
Soholovskoje, Dzezkazgan, Kazakhstan
STELLERITE specimen ste-20
$ 52.00
$ 52.00
Dims: 2.2x1.5x2.1" (5.7x3.9x5.3cm)
Wt: 3.1 oz. (86.7g)
Sokolovsko-Sarbayskoye Mine, Kazakhstan
This specimen has six stellerite balls on a host rock. The stellerite is light brown, nearly transparent, and has a vitreous luster. The crystals are well formed, and in several places a loupe reveals the radial crystal clusters that look like spheres in the aggregate. A loupe also shows that there are other minerals present, primarily some green mineral that I have not identified, which has the color of peridot.
ste-20 ($ 52.00)
Sokolovsko-Sarbayskoye Mine, Kazakhstan
STELLERITE specimen ste-21
$ 50.00
$ 50.00
Dims: 2.01x1.67x1.51" (5.10x4.23x3.83cm)
Wt: 3.14oz (89.0g)
Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India
This is a very nice (although small) specimen of stellerite. A single crystal/cluster of stellerite with a radial growth habit and smooth rounded terminations sits in a cavity in a host rock. The stellerite appears white and translucent, but I believe that the individual crystals are likely colorless and transparent, but this can not be seen even with my loupe. The cavity is lined with a druze of transparent colorless apophyllite crystals over a layer of a translucent gray mineral, giving a gray sparkly appearance. Visible through the apophyllite are a half-dozen balls of something green - it is almost certainly prehnite, but it is not exposed and thus I cannot be certain.
ste-21 ($ 50.00)
Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India
STELLERITE specimen ste-22
$ 45.00
$ 45.00
Dims:
Wt: 1.31oz (37.1g)
Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India
This specimen is mostly stellerite, as a partial ball of the mineral in a single crystal. The termination seems to have multiple layers, although the sides of the crystal show a definite radial growth pattern. The sides of the crystal appear natural (not fracture or cleavage), and display an interesting pattern of curved growth, almost as if the ends of the individual fibers were thicker, forcing the outer layers apart. The stellerite is colorless and translucent (nearly transparent), and the sides show a pearly luster. The crystal rests on a druze of colorless transparent quartz crystals over a thin opaque layer of gray agate.
ste-22 ($ 45.00)
Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India
STELLERITE specimen ste-23
$ 40.00
$ 40.00
Dims: 2.21x1.14x1.06" (5.62x2.90x2.70cm)
Wt: 1.44oz (40.7g)
Sokolovskoe mine, Kustanay oblast, Kazakhstan
A nice hemisphere of stellerite rests on a quartz crystal on this specimen. The stellerite is a nice golden-brown color, and while it looks translucent, thin sections are transparent. The back shows a radial growth pattern, as it appears that the back half of the crystal was cleaved off along a natural fracture. The very top of the specimen displays a second crystal, which also has been cleaved to reveal its radial growth pattern and a silky luster.
ste-23 ($ 40.00)
Sokolovskoe mine, Kustanay oblast, Kazakhstan