Detailed information
Species
Wairakite
Dimensions
46 x 60 x 57
mm
Weight
62 g
Locality
Wairakei geothermal area Wairakei, Taupo District Waikato Region, New Zealand
Condition
No recorded repairs
Wairakite is a rare zeolite mineral - the calcium analogue of Analcime - named after the Wairakei geothermal area in North Island, New Zealand, where it was first found. Specimens from the Type Locality are very rare as this mineral formed at depth, and those specimens known came from either drill core or ejected material from geothermal vents. This large miniature specimen is mainly massive, but does show a couple of microcrystal-lined vesicles, to 7 mm across. It is from the superb systematic collection assembled by the brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021). Rare indeed.