Mixed crystal rock. Neptunite (black) and benitoite (blue) crystals within a host rock composed of natrolite (white). Natrolite is a tectosilicate tha

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Mixed crystal rock. Neptunite (black) and benitoite (blue) crystals within a host rock composed of natrolite (white). Natrolite is a tectosilicate that belongs to the zeolite group of minerals. Like most zeolites, natrolite occurs in cavities or open cracks in basaltic igneous rocks. Benitoite is an extremely rare barium titanium silicate mineral; all the cut stones in existence probably would not fill an 8 ounce glass. Neptunite is a complex silicate mineral.

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Size: 5138px × 3425px
Photo credit: © DIRK WIERSMA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -life, barium, benitoite, black, blue, chemistry, crystal, crystalline, crystallised, crystallized, crystallography, crystals, detail, earth, geological, geology, host, life, mineral, mineralogy, mixed, natrolite, nature, neptunite, rare, rock, sample, science, silicate, specimen, tectosilicate, titanium, zeolite