ERIONITE FROM FAEDO, COLLI-EUGANEI, ITALY

The third occurrence of the zeolite erionite in Italy is described in a latitrachytic rock intruded in a cretaceous limestone (Biancone form ation) near Faedo, Colli Euganei. The mineral occurs as clear-white ra diating bundles of needles 2-3 mm long commonly associated with okenit e, apophyllite, gyrolite and occasionally with analcime, heulandite, s colecite, smectite and calcite. The erionite specimen is characterized by a Si/Al ratio of 2.78, (Ca+Mg)>(Na+K), and anomalous negative elon gation.