Apophyllite with Stilbite – India

The mineral stilbite belongs to the zeolites, a special group of silicates. The name is derived from the Greek word ‘stilbein’, which means ‘to shine’. In most countries the name desmien is used because of the crystal groups that resemble sheaves (‘desme’ in Greek means ‘sheaf’). The mineral is mainly found in basalt layers. The crystals vary in color: white, yellowish and even reddish or brown. The crystals have a glass to pearl luster.