Scholastic
Scolecite belongs to the silicate group. It contains calcium, aluminum , and silicon. Its chemical formula is Ca( Al₂Si₃O₁₀ )· 3H₂O . It occurs as elongated prism-shaped crystals. Scolecite is generally white. Its density is less than 2.4 (1 for water) and its hardness is greater than 5/10 on the Mohs scale (10 for diamond). The streak on porcelain is colorless.
Its name comes from the Greek word scoliaxo meaning worm , because its crystals bend when exposed to high temperatures and resemble a group of worms , a phenomenon that can be observed in all zeolites, minerals containing water.
