PECTOLITE



Pectolite is a sodium calcium silicate mineral of the pyroxenoid group. The extant analysis of Franklin pectolite is that given by Palache (1935) and not repeated here.
Pectolite is known from several Franklin assemblages, but has not been reported from Sterling Hill. The extant data are those of Palache (1935) and Schaller (1955).
Franklin pectolite from the first assemblage noted below is white, with vitreous luster, and a fibrous habit. Habits vary substantially and include the grains and crystals described by Palache (1935). Peacock (1935), using Palache's unpublished data, added to those listed by Palache (1935). In shortwave ultraviolet the fluorescence is strong yellow-orange.
Franklin pectolite occurs in massive aggregates of prehnite, garnet, franklinite, and minor margarosanite. The assemblage is commonly sheared, and, in some specimens, pectolite is apparently being replaced by prehnite. It is also found in a recrystallized assemblage with roeblingite (Dunn et al., 1983a). (Dunn, 1995)

 Location Found: Franklin
     
 
 Year Discovered: 1828
     
 Formula: NaCa2(HSi3O9)
 Essential Elements: Calcium, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Silicon, Sodium
 All Elements in Formula: Calcium, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Silicon, Sodium
     
 IMA Status: Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
     
Fluorescent Mineral Properties
 Shortwave UV light: Moderately bright orange
 Mid wave UV light: Orange
 Additional Information: Phosphoresces moderately bright orange
     
 To find out more about this mineral at minDat's website, follow this link   Pectolite

     
 References:
Dunn, Pete J. (1995). Franklin and Sterling Hill New Jersey: the world's most magnificent mineral deposits. Franklin, NJ.: The Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society. p.442

Frondel, Clifford (1972). The minerals of Franklin and Sterling Hill, a checklist. NY.: John Willey & Sons. p.70
The Picking Table References
 PT Issue and PageDescription / Comment
View IssueV. 58, No. 1 - Spring 2017, pg. 14Fluorescent Minerals of Franklin and Sterling Hill, N.J., Part 2, Richard C. Bostwick - Pectolite
View IssueV. 45, No. 1 - Spring 2004, pg. 13The Art of Fluorescent Mineral Photography, With Special Attention to the Minerals of Franklin and Sterling Hill Photographing the More Popular Franklin and Sterling Hill Fluorescent Minerals - Pectolite
View IssueV. 33, No. 2 - Fall 1992, pg. 11The Check List of Franklin-Sterling Hill Fluorescent Minerals - Pectolite (Fluorescent Info)
View IssueV. 18, No. 2 - September 1977, pg. 16The Fluorescent Minerals of Franklin and Sterling Hill, NJ by Richard C. Bostwick - Pectolite
View IssueV. 16, No. 2 - August 1975, pg. 11Franklin Pectolite - Rarer Than You Think by Fred J. Parker and Dr. Arnold Fainberg
View IssueV. 13, No. 2 - August 1972, pg. 12The Fluorescent Minerals of Franklin/Ogdensburg Area by Frank Z. Edwards - Pectolite (Fluorescent Info)
     
Images
     
Pectolite, axinite, margarosanite, xonotlite, willemite, hendricksite, andradite garnet, franklinitePectolite, axinite, margarosanite, xonotlite, willemite, hendricksite, andradite garnet, franklinite under longwave UV Light
Pectolite, axinite, margarosanite, xonotlite, willemite with non-fluorescent hendricksite mica, andradite garnet, and franklinite from Franklin, New Jersey. Photo by JVF.
Pectolite, axinite, margarosanite, xonotlite, willemite with non-fluorescent hendricksite mica, andradite garnet, and franklinite from Franklin, New Jersey, under longwave UV light. The pectolite fluoresces peach and the margarosanite light blue. Photo by JVF.
Pectolite, axinite, margarosanite, xonotlite, willemite, hendricksite, andradite garnet, franklinite under shortwave UV Light
Pectolite, axinite, margarosanite, xonotlite, willemite with non-fluorescent hendricksite mica, andradite garnet, and franklinite from Franklin, New Jersey, under shortwave UV light. The pectolite fluoresces orange, axinite red, margarosanite light blue, xonotlite purple and the willemite green. Photo by JVF.






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