![](JMUbanner.gif)
Pectolite
Cedar Mountain Stone Quarry
Mitchells, Virginia
The pectolite crystals shown in this picture are 7cm across
![](minerals\+PectoliteVA.jpg)
Pectolite NaCa2Si3O8(OH)
Inosilicates; hydrous calcium sodium silicate, often with some manganese
Color and Luster: Colorless, white, grayish; vitreous, silky; streak white
Hardness: 4.5-5
Cleavage: Perfect, two directions at nearly 90°
Fracture: Splintery, uneven, brittle
Crystals: Triclinic, distinct crystals rare, usually compact and botryoidal masses with radial fibrous structure
Photo by Mary Sutherland
Descriptions taken from
The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals