Stilbite

Stilbite is a common zeolite mineral that forms in volcanic rock cavities from low-temperature hydrothermal solutions. Its crystal habit is its most recognizable feature - stilbite grows as flattened, bow-tie shaped crystal aggregates with a distinctive sheaf-like or wheat-bundle appearance.

The peach-pink color that makes Indian stilbite so popular comes from trace amounts of iron and manganese. White and colorless stilbite is more common globally, but the warm salmon-pink Indian material has dominated the collector market since large-scale production began in the late 20th century.

Stilbite often occurs alongside apophyllite, scolecite, and other zeolites in the Deccan Trap basalts. These cavities can contain multiple zeolite species growing together, creating multi-mineral specimens of considerable beauty and educational value.

Stilbite is identified by its distinctive bow-tie or sheaf-like crystal aggregates, pearly luster on cleavage faces, and zeolite associations. At hardness 3.5-4, it's quite soft. The flattened, fan-shaped crystal habit is unique among common minerals.

Distinguish from heulandite (similar zeolite but tabular/coffin-shaped crystals rather than sheaf-shaped), calcite (different crystal forms, fizzes in acid), and baryte (much denser, different crystal habit). Stilbite's wheat-sheaf form is essentially diagnostic.