Heulandite Cluster Value Guide

Heulandite clusters from India are prized for their distinct coffin-shaped crystals and vibrant peach to salmon hues. These specimens, sourced from the Deccan Traps in Maharashtra, represent a unique series of tectosilicate minerals that formed within ancient volcanic basalt cavities.

What affects the value of Heulandite Cluster?

• Color intensity, with deep peach and saturated salmon tones commanding higher prices than pale or white varieties.
• Crystal size and definition, specifically the presence of undamaged, well-formed 'coffin' terminations.
• The overall aesthetics of the cluster, including how the crystals are positioned on the host basalt matrix.
• Specimen size and weight, with the $40-$45 range typically covering high-quality cabinet-sized pieces from the 2000-2020 era.

How to Identify Heulandite Cluster?

• Look for the characteristic monoclinic crystal system, often appearing as pearly, coffin-shaped or tabular structures.
• Verify the peach or salmon coloration, which is a hallmark of specimens originating from the Indian Deccan Traps.
• Examine the matrix for associated zeolite minerals, as heulandite frequently grows alongside stilbite in basaltic rock.
• Check for a vitreous luster on crystal faces with a distinct pearly sheen on the cleavage surfaces.

History of Heulandite Cluster

Heulandite is a series of tectosilicate minerals within the zeolite group. It was first separated from stilbite and named in 1822 after the famous mineral collector Henry Heuland. The most vibrant peach and salmon-colored specimens are famously sourced from the Deccan Traps in Maharashtra, India, where they formed within the gas cavities of ancient volcanic basalt flows.