| A group name for a large number of framework alumosilicates (and, rarely, beryllosilicates, zincosilicates, beryllophosphates) which are built of corner-linked tetrahedra and contain exchangeable cations; several of these minerals have important technical applications. Several subgroups are distinguished.The morphology of zeolites is extremely variable; with some species showing dramatic variation from fine fibres to spherical aggregates and other species showing close similarities where only sophisticated analysis clearly identifies them. Further complexity from twinning and epitaxy further complicate identification. Many of the species form white or colourless crystals but some are coloured through inclusion of impurities or other species. |
