Information about Chabazite

Chabazite is a term which actually refers to five related minerals – Chabazite-Ca, Chabazite-K, Chabazite-Mg, Chabazite-Na, Chabazite-Sr. It is impossible to distinguish between them without chemical analysis.

Chabazite-Ca is the most common member of this series, however, Chabazite is a sufficient name for unanalysed members. All of the chabazite minerals are members of the zeolite group.

Uses and History

Used as a drying agent and for nuclear waste cleanup in the Three Mile Island nuclear disaster – unfortunately this isn’t something I fully understand. 🙂

Chabazite was named ‘chabasie’ in 1788-1792 by Louis-Augustin Bosc d’Antic from the Greek word ‘chabazios’ meaning tune or melody as part of the poem Peri lithos.

Mineralogy

Hazards and Warnings

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Translations

Further Reading / External Links

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chabazite
• https://www.minerals.net/mineral/chabazite.aspx
• https://www.britannica.com/science/chabazite
• https://www.mindat.org/min-956.html