UV-Reactive Apophyllite and Stilbite Stalactitic Formation – Jalgaon, India – 0.21 lbs

A striking UV-Reactive Apophyllite and Stilbite Stalactitic Formation from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India, featuring sparkling microcrystalline growth draped across sculptural stalactitic structures and large pearly stilbite blades. Mounted vertically on a custom display base, this compact specimen offers an impressive approximately 3.5-inch presentation with dramatically different appearances under normal and ultraviolet light.

The primary display face is dominated by elongated, branching formations coated with densely packed colorless-to-white crystals. Thousands of miniature reflective faces create an intensely sparkling surface that follows the contours of the underlying stalactitic growth.

Large cream-to-white stilbite crystals rise around and behind the central formations. These flattened blades and fan-like intergrowths display the pearly luster and softly stepped surfaces characteristic of stilbite, providing a bold structural contrast against the finer druzy crystallization.

The specimen’s open architecture is especially attractive. Natural spaces between the branches and surrounding stilbite reveal an interior chamber lined with additional crystallization. Several slender crystals project across these openings, adding depth and creating compelling views through the formation.

Under ultraviolet illumination, much of the crystal-covered surface displays a vivid icy blue response. The fluorescence is strongest across the rounded and elongated druzy formations, transforming the specimen from a softly colored white-and-cream mineral association into a bright electric-blue display. UV intensity and visible color may vary depending on the wavelength, strength, and distance of the light used.

The reverse exposes a broad orange-brown section of natural basaltic matrix. This rugged volcanic surface provides a dramatic geological contrast with the brilliant white zeolite crystallization along its edges and demonstrates how the mineralized cavity developed within the host rock.

Measuring approximately 2.25 × 2.5 × 3.5 inches and weighing 0.21 pounds, this mounted specimen combines sculptural stalactitic growth, sparkling apophyllite, substantial stilbite blades, open interior architecture, and a strong UV response in a compact, ready-to-display formation.

Specifications

Minerals: Apophyllite with Stilbite

Formation: Druzy-covered stalactitic growth with bladed and fan-like stilbite

Locality: Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Weight: 0.21 lbs (approximately 95 grams)

Dimensions: Approximately 2.25 × 2.5 × 3.5 inches

Color under Normal Light: Colorless, white, ivory, cream, pale peach, and orange-brown

Crystal Habit: Fine sparkling apophyllite over rounded and elongated formations with broad bladed stilbite crystals

Primary Display Face: Open, three-dimensional crystal association with branching formations, recessed pockets, and visible interior growth

Stilbite: Large flattened blades and fan-like intergrowths with pearly surfaces

Apophyllite: Fine colorless-to-white crystals producing extensive druzy sparkle

Matrix: Orange-brown basaltic host material visible across the reverse

UV Response: Bright icy blue fluorescence across much of the druzy-covered formation, as photographed

UV Note: Fluorescence can differ in brightness and appearance according to the lamp’s wavelength, output, distance, ambient lighting, and camera settings

Luster: Vitreous across the apophyllite and pearly-to-vitreous across the stilbite

Transparency: Transparent to translucent crystals over opaque matrix

Mineral Group: Apophyllite-group mineral with stilbite, a zeolite-group mineral

Mohs Hardness: Approximately 4.5–5 for apophyllite and 3.5–4 for stilbite

Mounting: Affixed to a custom display base produced in-house

Display: Elevated upright collector specimen

Condition: Natural mineral specimen with inherent contacts, incomplete crystals, matrix fractures, surface deposits, inclusions, edge irregularities, and extraction or preparation marks

Exact specimen shown

About Apophyllite and Stilbite

Apophyllite and stilbite are among the best-known mineral associations produced by the volcanic formations of Maharashtra, India. They commonly crystallize inside cavities created within ancient basalt, where mineral-rich fluids deposited successive generations of zeolites and associated minerals.

Apophyllite commonly forms transparent-to-translucent crystals with exceptionally reflective surfaces. On this specimen, much of the apophyllite occurs as fine druzy growth covering rounded and elongated structures. The small crystal faces collectively produce the dense sparkle visible across the formation.

Stilbite is recognized by its flattened bladed crystals, pearly luster, and frequent development into fan-like or bow-tie-shaped aggregates. The larger cream-colored blades surrounding the central formation create an attractive contrast in scale, texture, and crystal habit.

“Stalactitic” describes the specimen’s elongated, branching mineral architecture. It refers to the shape of the formation rather than identifying a separate mineral species. The open spaces between these structures preserve a view into the mineralized cavity and give the specimen far greater depth than a flat crystal plate.

The vivid UV appearance is an additional display feature, but fluorescence can vary considerably under different equipment. The photographed response should be treated as representative of the specimen under the ultraviolet lighting used for the supplied image.

Apophyllite and stilbite both possess perfect cleavage and should be handled carefully. Lift the specimen by its custom base, protect it from impacts and moisture, and clean it only with a soft, dry brush or gentle air blower.

Collector Notes

This specimen features:

• Natural apophyllite and stilbite from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India
• Compact 0.21-pound collector size
• Approximately 3.5-inch upright presentation
• Sculptural stalactitic and branching architecture
• Extensive fine druzy crystallization
• Thousands of reflective miniature crystal faces
• Large cream-to-white stilbite blades
• Pearly fan-like and flattened crystal growth
• Rounded and elongated crystal-covered formations
• Natural openings through the mineral association
• Recessed interior chamber with additional crystallization
• Slender projecting crystals across the open spaces
• Strong depth and multiple viewing angles
• Bright icy blue response under ultraviolet light
• Dramatic transformation between normal and UV illumination
• Contrasting orange-brown basaltic reverse
• Classic Maharashtra volcanic-cavity mineral association
• Custom display base produced in-house
• Elevated, ready-to-display presentation
• Exact specimen pictured

Perfect for collectors of apophyllite, stilbite, Indian zeolites, Jalgaon minerals, UV-reactive minerals, fluorescent crystals, stalactitic formations, basalt-cavity minerals, mounted specimens, and unusual Indian mineral associations.

Professionally packaged and shipped from Colorado.

You will receive the exact specimen shown.

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