Wenkite

A variety of Minerals

What is Wenkite?

Zeolites are microporous, aluminosilicate minerals commonly used as commercial adsorbents and catalysts. The term zeolite was originally coined in 1756 by Swedish mineralogist Axel Fredrik Cronstedt, who observed that rapidly heating the material, believed to have been stilbite, produced large amounts of steam from water that had been adsorbed by the material. Based on this, he called the material zeolite, from the Greek ζέω (zéō), meaning "to boil" and λίθος (líthos), meaning "stone". The classic reference for the field has been Breck's book Zeolite Molecular Sieves: Structure, Chemistry, And Use. Zeolites occur naturally but are also produced industrially on a large scale. As of December 2018, 245 unique zeolite frameworks have been identified, and over 40 naturally occurring zeolite frameworks are known. Every new zeolite structure that is obtained is examined by the International Zeolite Association Structure Commission and receives a three letter designation.

Market Value Factors

Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Wenkite before comparing listings or appraisals.

Size & Weight

Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.

Rarity & Demand

Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.

Condition & Finish

Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.

Treatment & Provenance

Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.

Applies to all rocks & minerals.

Wenkite Localities Map

See where Wenkite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

Map preview
North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Interactive map layers and collecting notes are available in the app.

Quick Facts

Physical Properties

Color
Light grey
Hardness (Mohs)
6
Density
3.276 g/cm³
Streak
white

Chemical Properties

Chemical Formula
(Ba,K)4(Ca,Na)6(Si,Al)20O39(OH)23 · 0.5H2O
Elements
Al, Ba, Ca, H, K, Na, O, S, Si
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Wenkite FAQs

How do I identify Wenkite?

Wenkite can be identified by its hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, Light grey color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Wenkite?

Wenkite typically appears in Light grey. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Wenkite?

Wenkite has a hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.

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