What is "analcime"

Analcime \A*nal"cime\, n. [Gr. 'an priv. + 'a`lkimos strong, 'alkh` strength: cf. F. analcime.] (Min.) A white or flesh-red mineral, of the zeolite family, occurring in isometric crystals. By friction, it acquires a weak electricity; hence its name.

n. (context mineral English) A mineral, a sodium aluminosilicate with a chemical formula sodiumaluminumsilicon₂oxygen₆'''·'''water, having a zeolite structure, found in alkaline basalts.

Analcime or analcite (from the Greek analkimos - "weak") is a white, gray, or colorless tectosilicate mineral. Analcime consists of hydrated sodium aluminium silicate in cubic crystalline form. Its chemical formula is Na Al Si O· HO. Minor amounts of potassium and calcium substitute for sodium. A silver-bearing synthetic variety also exists (Ag-analcite).

Analcime is usually classified as a zeolite mineral, but structurally and chemically it is more similar to the feldspathoids. Analcime occurs as a primary mineral in analcime basalt and other alkaline igneous rocks. It also occurs as cavity and vesicle fillings associated with prehnite, calcite, and zeolites.