Comparison · Minerals
Analcime vs Apophyllite
Analcime and Apophyllite are easy to confuse because both are minerals. Both sit near Mohs 5–5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Analcime and Apophyllite
- Both sit near Mohs 5–5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- They overlap in clear, pink, and green, but Analcime also comes in gray and Apophyllite also comes in yellow.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Analcime is Isometric, Apophyllite is Tetragonal.
Analcime vs Apophyllite properties
| Property | Analcime | Apophyllite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 5–5.5 | 4.5–5 |
| Luster | Vitreous | Vitreous, pearly on cleavage |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.24–2.29 | 2.3–2.4 |
| Crystal system | Isometric | Tetragonal |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Gray, Pink, Pale green | Colorless, White, Green, Pink, Pale yellow |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Analcime and Apophyllite trade in a similar range, around $20.
About Analcime
Analcime is a hydrated sodium aluminosilicate, NaAlSi2O6·H2O, and one of the few zeolites to crystallize in the isometric system rather than a lower-symmetry one. It typically forms trapezohedral crystals with twenty-four faces, giving specimens a distinctive rounded, many-sided appearance. Chemically it sits at the boundary between the zeolite and feldspathoid mineral groups.
About Apophyllite
Apophyllite is the common name for a small group of hydrated potassium calcium silicates, most often KCa4Si8O20(F,OH)·8H2O, crystallizing in the tetragonal system. It typically grows as glassy, pseudo-cubic or pyramidal crystals lining cavities in basaltic lava. The name comes from the Greek for 'to leaf away,' describing how the mineral flakes when heated, losing its water of crystallization.
Analcime vs Apophyllite FAQ
Is Analcime the same as Apophyllite?
No. Both are minerals, but they are distinct species with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 5–5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Analcime from Apophyllite?
Both sit near Mohs 5–5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. They overlap in clear, pink, and green, but Analcime also comes in gray and Apophyllite also comes in yellow. Well-formed crystals give it away: Analcime is Isometric, Apophyllite is Tetragonal.
Which is harder, Analcime or Apophyllite?
Analcime is harder: Mohs 5–5.5 against Mohs 4.5–5 for Apophyllite.
Which is more valuable, Analcime or Apophyllite?
Typical specimens of Analcime and Apophyllite trade in a similar range, around $20.
