Chabazite

Chabazite (UK: /ˈkæbəzaɪt/)^[4] is a tectosilicate mineral series in the zeolite group,^[5] closely related to gmelinite, with the chemical formula M[Al₂Si₄O₁₂]·6H₂O, where M is one or more metal cations.^[3] Recognized minerals in the series include Chabazite-Ca, Chabazite-K, Chabazite-Na, and Chabazite-Sr, depending on the prominence of the indicated cation.

Chabazite
Salmon-pink chabazite on white heulandite
General
Category	Tectosilicate minerals, zeolite group, chabazite-levyne subgroup
Formula	M[Al2Si4O12]·6H2O
IMA symbol	Cbz[1]
Strunz classification	9.GD.10
Crystal system	Trigonal
Crystal class	Hexagonal scalenohedral 3m H-M symbol: (3 2/m)
Space group	R3m
Identification
Color	Colorless, white, yellow, pink, red
Cleavage	distinct/good on {1011}
Fracture	irregular/uneven
Mohs scale hardness	4-5
Luster	vitreous
Streak	white
Diaphaneity	transparent, translucent
Specific gravity	2.05 - 2.2
References	[2][3]

Chabazite crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system with typically rhombohedral shaped crystals^[4] that are pseudo-cubic. The crystals are typically twinned, and both contact twinning and penetration twinning may be observed. They may be colorless, white, orange, brown, pink, green, or yellow. The hardness ranges from 3 to 5 and the specific gravity from 2.0 to 2.2. The luster is vitreous.

It was named chabasie in 1792 by Bosc d'Antic and later changed to the current spelling.

Chabazite occurs most commonly in voids and amygdules in basaltic rocks.

Chabazite is found in India, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland, Bohemia, Italy, Germany, along the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, Oregon, Arizona, and New Jersey.

Synthetic chabazite

Many different materials that are isostructural with the chabazite mineral have been synthesized in laboratories. SSZ-13 is a CHA type zeolite with an Si/Al ratio of 14. This is a composition not found in nature.