Zeolite crystal meaning and uses, all based on zeolite’s crystal structure, will give you a proper scientific introduction to this rightfully-buzzed word “zeolite” in niche wellness and spiritual circles. But you’ll also discover how engineers and even ancient Romans became quite familiar with zeolite rock.
The first thing you really need to know about zeolites – it is a HUGE family of possible exact types of rocks, that all share a unique common structure. And MANY types of zeolite are entirely manmade. But there are plenty of natural zeolites too. I mainly focus on describing the natural zeolites, that form from geology, but you’ll also learn about WHY people actually took the time to engineer more types of synthetic zeolites. Turns out, zeolite crystal uses are important in various industrial applications.
Zeolite crystal meaning is broader to convey. How can a crystal really mean something? In traditional uses, a type of crystal was not always well-defined, totally different rocks could be called the same thing, and possible therapeutic uses vary widely. I use the crystal structure of zeolites – if you were to shrink down to the size of a grain of sand, what you would see inside the crystal. Nature exhibits self-similarity: the patterns and themes repeat at all scales. So visualizing and understanding the defining structure will give the best idea of zeolite crystal meaning.
Variety of Zeolites
Zeolites are present in trace amounts within clays like bentonite and Moroccan red clay, Dead Sea clays, and so on. The most common natural zeolites include clinoptilolite, phillipsite, chabazite, and mordenite. In the health sphere, supplements typically contain trace zeolitic structures in clays, or isoated specific ones studied for therapeutic benefits, like clinoptotile. Fulvic acid and other volcanic mineral based supplements also confer their supposed benefits due to the trace zeolites.
Zeolites occur alongside quartz, feldspar, cristobalite, calcite in common composite rocks. In crystal shops, some stones labeled zeolites are merely associated with zeolites, meaning, found in the some composite bulk rock in nature. For example, apophyllite is often found in basalt intermingled with zeolites, and even if only apophyllite is broken off and sold the rock ends up labeled as zeolite, which is a rather broad term.
When zeolites are used in industry, the term also becomes colloquial. Ordering “zeolites” for a construction project, probably refers to a powdered mix of clinoptilolite, heulandite, and others. For specific jobs like radioactive waste management, there are better results with synthetic zeolites fine-tuned for the task. To account for all the variation, man-made zeolites are very systemized and each is classified with a code, such as SSZ-13.
Visual Guide to Types of Zeolites
These lists include the most common natural zeolites, colloquial “zeolites” in shops, and synthetically made zeolites. Note that a named type of crystal can look many different ways depending on formation conditions and polishing.
The charts have information compiled mainly from mindat.org and wikipedia.org organized into tables to better see the scope of what people could mean when they reference “zeolites”.
Real Natural Zeolites Chart
| Natural Zeolite (Link to Mindat photo gallery) | Chemical Formula | Crystal system/class/Space group | Named in + More |
| Analcime | NaAlSi2O6·H2O | Orthorhombic/ Dipyramidal/ Ibca | 1797 “almost isometric” compact psuedo-cubic structure is valuable to collectors resistant to decay, fortifies buildings |
| Chabazite (isostructural with lab-made SSZ-13) | (Ca,K2,Na2)2[Al2Si4O12]2•12H2O | Trigonal/ Hexagonal scalenohedral/ R3m | 1792 psuedo-cubic twinning, found at Giant’s causeway, can remove Cesium from radioactive waste at at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power [2] **as adsorbant **in agriculture |
| Clinoptitile | (Na,K,Ca)2–3Al3(Al,Si)2Si13O312H2O | various depending on Na,K,Ca ratio | 1969 cleaned up Chernobyl used in animal feed urea sensor used in supplements |
| Harmotome | (Ba0.5,Ca0.5,Na,K)5Al5,Si11O32·12(H2O) | Monoclinic/ Prismatic/ P21/m | 1801 occurs more rarely than others |
| Heulandite | (Ca,Na)2−3Al3(Al,Si)2Si13O36·12H2O | Monoclinic/ Prismatic various | 1822 found in crystal shops modified versions for radioactive cleanup |
| Mesolite | Na2Ca2(Al2Si3O10)3·8H2O | Orthorhombic/ Pyramidal/ Fd22 | 1816 isostructural with natrolite and scolecite |
| Mordenite | (Ca, Na2, K2)Al2Si10O24·7H2O | Orthorhombic/ Pyramidal/ Cmc21 | 1864 widely used: as catalyst, gas separation, adsorbent modified versions for radioactive cleanup |
| Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10·2H2O | Orthorhombic/ Pyramidal/ Fdd2 | 1803 found at Giant’s Causeway |
| Pollucite | Cs(Si2Al)O6·nH2O | Isometric/ Hexoctahedral/ Ia3d | 1846 ore of caesium |
| Phillipsite | (Ca,Na2,K2)3Al6Si10O32·12H2O | Monoclinic/ Prismatic/ P21/m | 1825 found in Roman concrete and Giant’s Causeway |
| Scolecite | CaAl2Si3O10·3H2O | Monoclinic/ Domatic/ Cc | 1813 pyroelectric & piezoelectric |
| Stilbite | NaCa4(Si27Al9)O72·28(H2O) or Na9(Si27Al9)O72·28(H2O) | Monoclinic (mostly)/ Prismatic/ C2/m | 1818 petroleum refining catalyst |
| Thomsonite | NaCa2Al5Si5O20·6H2O | Orthorhombic/ Dipyramidal/ | 1820 rarer, used as gemstones |
Phillipsite, nartolite, and chabazite are found at the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, and in the spas at Plombires & Bourbonne les Baines in France. But most interestingly, the materials used in Roman concrete have special fortifying properties. The phillipsite in the volcanic ash in the seawalls, along with non-zeolitic silicate materials like tobermorite, expand in the mortar, giving the structures more strength over times as opposed to weathering.
Sold in Crystal Shops as Zeolites Chart
Many crystal shop zeolites are not structurally zeolites. Crystal shops do often have technical zeolites, like stilbite and heulandite. But others, like apophyllite, may be simply called zeolite just because they are found together with zeolites.
Like the natural zeolites chart above, the link goes to a photo gallery, where you can notice one exact kind of rock often comes in different shapes and colors.
| Zeolite-associated “crystal shop” zeolite | Chemical Formula | Crystal system/class/Space group | Actual Rock type +more |
| Apophyllite | (K,Na)Ca4Si8O20(F,OH)·8H2O | Tetragonal/Tetragonal/P4/mnc | not a zeolite, a phyllosilicate found associated with zeolites, radioactive |
| Ganophyllite | (K,Na,Ca)2Mn8(Si,Al)12(O,OH)32 · 8H2O | Monoclinic/Prismatic/A2/a | 1890 not a zeolite, a phyllosilicate found associated with zeolites, pleochroic (angle dependent optical scattering), radioactive |
| Gyrolite | NaCa16(Si23Al)O60(OH)8·14H2O | Triclinic/Pinacoidal/P1 | zeolite-associated phyllosilicate, occurs as a phase in hydrothermal synthesis of cement |
| Okenite | CaSi2O5·2H2O | Triclinic/Pinacoidal/P/1 | zeolite-associated phyllosilicate puffy formations inside basalt geodes |
| Pectolite | NaCa2Si3O8(OH) | Triclinic/Pinacoidal/P/1 | 1828 zeolite-associated inosilicate, occurs as a phase in hydrothermal synthesis of cement |
| Petalite | LiAlSi4O10 | Monoclinic/ Prismatic/ P2/a | 1800 zeolite-associated phyllosilicate, ore of lithium, used as gemstone and glass-ceramic cookware CoringWare |
| Prehnite | Ca2Al(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 | Orthorhombic/Pyramidal/P2cm | 1788 zeolite-associated inosilicate used as a gemstone |
The zeolite-associated phyllosilicates and inosilicates sold in shops sometimes with zeolites have shared characteristics with zeolites. They form in the same rock specimens and can have a somewhat similar appearance too! They are lovely in their own right but lack the cage-like zeolitic structures that make actual zeolites able to adsorb and exchange ions.
An interesting note about pectolite is that its copper-substituted analog (Blue Larimar) is a highly sought after gemstone found only in the Dominican Republic, first fully described only in 1974. Definitely check out photos of blue larimar if you like light blue colors.
Natural versus Lab-made Zeolites
Synthetic zeolites have more consistent adsorbent properties, so particular molecules can be selected for cleanup in the most efficient way. While there are only about 40 natural zeolites known, the properties are so useful for industrial and technological applications that chemical engineers, assisted with softwares, have found millions of possible zeolites.
So far a few hundred have been synthesized altogether for applications. Thus, they warrant the more precise Nickel-Strunz classification system to describe desired properties. That system aims to include all known zeolites, based on the exact framework of the cages. Here is the zeolite Nickel-Strunz subgroup, with the growing COMPLETE list of known zeolites, maintained at mindat.org. Here is another directory of the same zeolite list.
Important Uses of Zeolite
Zeolites are useful both in industry and for commercial products. Especially in powdered form, zeolites function as adsorbents, purifiers of water and soil, structural stabilizers, therapies, catalysts, and more. Natural zeolites like mordenite are used as catalysts used in applications like fracking for oil.
- Industry: catalyzes chemical reactions in fracking and manufacturing, concrete and other building material additive for structural integrity, absorbs certain radioactive waste and heavy metals
- Therapies: added in livestock feed to reduce risks of parasites and infections, nutritional mineral supplement, shown to remove heavy metals from body
- Decorative/spiritual: some zeolites are considered gemstones or are common in crystal shops
Zeolites form from volcanic rock and ash reacting with groundwater. Rarely found in their pure form, engineers just exploit the structure and grow their own for applications discussed.
Many studies in the application of natural zeolite focus on their usefulness in construction and environmental sectors. For example, zeolite phillipsite has been used since Roman times in concrete for its strengthening properties. Recent studies have found the phillipsite at the boundaries has potent ion exchange properties [7]. In the environment, zeolites have been shown to clean up heavy metals and radioactive contamination [2,5]. Some believe those same zeolites are suitable for ingestion by those suffering with heavy metal toxicity.[8] But is that safe?
You might encounter statements like “Lead, cadmium, and mercury buildups are flushed from the body, which can also help in achieving the alkalinity and pH levels.” which sound like typical wellness-online backhand, especially since there’s often no source. Take this statement, found on [https://meanings.crystalsandjewelry.com/zeolites/] for example..
Vague buzz words like “detox” are often cited. But actually, while I love debunking, in this case it is actually true, but not in the way those crystal sites probably mean. The same way zeolites soak up radioactive substances[2,5], they can trap heavy metals and other very specific ions within the digestive tract when taken orally[8]. (And, only certain kinds of zeolites, like clinoptilite have been shown to be useful for this.) But what those spiritually oriented crystal sites seem not to mention, is how exactly it does so, at least in the way demonstrated in studies, which is where the original information likely came from before the telephone game. However, there are ways to see exactly what zeolites can do.
Materials scientists experiment to find protocols to fine tune the structures by subjecting specimens to changing temperature and pressure conditions and chemical reactions. Thus selectivity is another benefit to the lab-synthesized zeolites. When the structures are sized precisely, zeolites become even more affective at adsorbing specific ions.
Chabazite, stilbite, and heulandite adsorb cesium in their natural forms, but for applications in industrial sized projects, synthesizing lab-made zeolites is better from both a resources and effectiveness standpoint. [5] And researchers have done exact thing with clinoptitile and barium, modifying natural zeolites to make them suitable for cleaning up large scale radioactive waste.[3] At the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant area, modified chabazite proved the most useful tool available to reduce the radiation exposure in the area [2].
Zeolite Crystal Meaning
A lot of sites will make the conclusion that zeolite has detoxifying “vibes”, and indeed they are used for detoxifying purposes in the environment and in bio-therapies. Zeolites can absorb odors in the air, due to that cage structure that is actually common to activated charcoal. If you want to believe that having zeolites sitting around make you feel better, all power to you. But remember the real power zeolites hold is their very specific ability to exchange ions in their network, based on millennia-old conditions of formation.
Related blogs
- Different types of Silicates List
- What is Crystal in Physics Actually
- How Shungite is Related to Zeolite
Sources & Further Reading
[1] Noked, M., Soffer, A., & Aurbach, D. (2011). The electrochemistry of activated carbonaceous materials: past, present, and future. Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry, 15(7-8), 1563–1578. doi:10.1007/s10008-011-1411-y
[2] Gardner, Laura J., et al. “Thermal treatment of Cs-exchanged chabazite by hot isostatic pressing to support decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.” Journal of Hazardous Materials 413 (2021): 125250.
[3] Hawkins, Daniel B., and Jose L. Ordonez. “Preparation and properties of barium clinoptilolite.” Materials Research Bulletin 7.6 (1972): 543-550.
[4] Hawkins, Daniel B. “Zeolite studies II. Ion-exchange properties of some synthetic zeolites.” Materials Research Bulletin 2.11 (1967): 1021-1028.
[5] Baek, W., Ha, S., Hong, S., Kim, S., & Kim, Y. (2018). Cation exchange of cesium and cation selectivity of natural zeolites: Chabazite, stilbite, and heulandite. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 264, 159–166.
[6] Bond, W. L. (1943). A Mineral Survey for Piezo-Electric Materials. Bell System Technical Journal, 22(2), 145–152. doi:10.1002/j.1538-7305.1943.tb00858.x
[7] Jackson, Marie D., Mulcahy, Sean R., Chen, Heng, Li, Yao, Li, Qinfei, Cappelletti, Piergiulio and Wenk, Hans-Rudolf. “Phillipsite and Al-tobermorite mineral cements produced through low-temperature water-rock reactions in Roman marine concrete” American Mineralogist, vol. 102, no. 7, 2017, pp. 1435-1450. https://doi.org/10.2138/am-2017-5993CCBY
[8] Kraljević Pavelić S, Simović Medica J, Gumbarević D, Filošević A, Pržulj N, Pavelić K. Critical Review on Zeolite Clinoptilolite Safety and Medical Applications in vivo. Front Pharmacol. 2018 Nov 27;9:1350. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01350. PMID: 30538633; PMCID: PMC6277462.
[9] Giurgiu OV, Berean DI, Ionescu A, Ciupe MS, Cimpean CR, Radu CI, Bitica DG, Bogdan S, Bogdan ML. The effect of oral administration of zeolite on the energy metabolism and reproductive health of Romanian spotted breed in advanced gestation and post partum period. Vet Anim Sci. 2023 Dec 30;23:100333. doi: 10.1016/j.vas.2023.100333. PMID: 38274773; PMCID: PMC10809078.
[10] Baek, W., Ha, S., Hong, S., Kim, S., & Kim, Y. (2018). Cation exchange of cesium and cation selectivity of natural zeolites: Chabazite, stilbite, and heulandite. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 264, 159–166.
[11] Simoncic, P., & Armbruster, T. (2004). Peculiarity and defect structure of the natural and synthetic zeolite mordenite: A single-crystal X-ray study. American Mineralogist, 89(2-3), 421–431.
[12] NEWSAM, J. M. (1986). The Zeolite Cage Structure. Science, 231(4742), 1093–1099.
