Chemical Formula: NaCa2Si3O8(OH)
Mineral Name: Pectolite
Color: White, colorless or gray and also pale
to sky blue
Hardness: 4.5 - 5.0
Specific Gravity: 2.7 - 2.9
Pectolite is a whitish mineral occurring in radiated
or fibrous crystalline masses. It is a hydrous
silicate of lime and soda. It is often confused with
several other similar appearing minerals like: okenite,
wollastonite, artinite etc. Pectolite is a nice
specimen type mineral and can form interesting
specimens from time to time. It occurs in cavities of
basalt in igneous environments, and is almost always
associated with zeolites. Its crystals are tiny,
slender, elongated fibers radiating from a central
point outwards.
Pectolite is popular among mineral collectors for its
interesting radiating "blobs". The light blue variety
Larimar is used as a gem. It is found in the regions
of Russia, Czech Republic, Greenland, Italy,, USA. The
rare variety of light blue gem called "Larimar" is
found only in the Dominican Republic.





