Overview

Stellerite is a calcium zeolite of the heulandite group, best known to collectors for its radiant, star-like sprays and hemispherical aggregates of bladed crystals. Colors range from snowy white to warm peach, apricot, honey-orange, and pale pink. The classic aesthetic is a lustrous, silky fan or ball sitting in a basalt vug, often with sparkling quartz and contrasting companions like apophyllite, stilbite, heulandite, and scolecite. Fine Indian pieces can look like glowing sea anemones frozen in stone.

Crystals are orthorhombic and typically form radiating blades and fans; single prismatic crystals are uncommon. The species can be confused with stilbite; while experts distinguish them by habit and subtle luster/textural cues, proper identification often requires analysis (XRD/EDS), particularly for borderline pieces. In the display case, collectors value stellerite for its soft color palette, elegant forms, and harmonious associations with other zeolites. From affordable thumbnails to dramatic cabinet plates covered in luminous hemispheres, stellerite offers beauty across all budgets.

Popularity

Among zeolites, stellerite enjoys steady demand due to its graceful forms and the abundance of attractive Indian material since the 1990s. Wagholi, Malad, and Jalgaon districts transformed the market with consistently aesthetic pockets: peach to apricot fans perched beside green apophyllite became a modern classic. As quarry operations in parts of Maharashtra have slowed or ceased, new supply has become less predictable, and especially choice, undamaged matrix specimens have grown scarcer. Historically important older quarries (like Malad in Mumbai) are largely inactive, further boosting interest in earlier finds with solid provenance.

Prices vary widely. Small, clean fans or hemispheres on basalt are accessible to new collectors; dramatic matrix plates with multiple perfect spheres, strong color, and top associations command premium prices. Because many pockets produced abundant pieces, there is still excellent value to be found—yet the very best compositions with superb color and condition remain surprisingly rare.

Top Collecting Localities

While stellerite occurs wherever zeolite-rich basaltic lavas and hydrothermal activity coincide, a handful of regions are celebrated for particularly beautiful specimens.

Jalgaon District, India

Jalgaon’s numerous quarries and road cuts have yielded an array of zeolite vugs, including stellerite. The district is known for sizeable hemispheres and fan clusters with pleasing apricot to peach tones, frequently associated with apophyllite, stilbite, heulandite, and occasional scolecite sprays. Pieces range from thumbnails with a single perfect rosette to cabinet plates with multiple spheres.

Aesthetic benchmarks include symmetry of the balls/fans, vibrant yet soft color, and clean surfaces free of bruises. Well-trimmed plates showing multiple hemispheres with vivid associations are especially desirable.

Collector’s Guide

Evaluating Specimen Quality

• Color and Luster:

  • Warm apricot, peach, and honey-orange tones are most sought-after, though white and pale-pink pieces can be superb if luster and form are excellent.
  • Look for a bright silky to pearly luster on the radiating blades; a “glow” across the hemisphere indicates fresh, undamaged surfaces.

• Crystal Form and Symmetry:

  • Ideal stellerite forms as complete, symmetric hemispheres or elegant, open fans with fine, evenly spaced blades.
  • Multiple hemispheres on one plate can be dramatic—prefer varied sizes arranged naturally rather than crowded clusters.
  • The best fans show crisp edges and rich textural definition without flattening or mushy surfaces.

• Associations and Matrix:

  • Contrasting matrix adds impact: dark basalt with drusy quartz “sparkle” is a classic backdrop.
  • Desirable associations include green apophyllite, white stilbite bowties, and heulandite. These add color contrast and context.
  • Ensure the matrix is stable and competently trimmed, with no overly thin, crumbly edges.

• Condition:

  • Damage shows as bruised or matte spots on blades and as broken/flattened areas on hemisphere tops—these are very distracting.
  • Inspect the centers of hemispheres where extraction-related dings often occur. Top specimens are free of central bruising.
  • A few tiny contacts at the periphery are common and acceptable if not visually obvious.

• Size and Composition:

  • A single perfect 2–5 cm hemisphere on tasteful basalt can outshine larger but battered pieces.
  • Cabinet plates with several intact hemispheres and strong color are premium, especially with choice associations.

• Authenticity and Species ID:

  • Stellerite vs. stilbite can be ambiguous by sight alone; habit and luster help, but analysis is the gold standard. Buy from reputable sources with reliable labeling and, for top pieces, consider analytical confirmation if value warrants.

Detecting Repairs or Treatments

• Repairs and Reattachments:

  • Indian zeolite vugs frequently yield loose crystals; reattached fans/hemispheres are common. Examine the base where the hemisphere meets basalt for thin epoxy lines, differences in texture, or slight misalignment.
  • Use a 10x loupe and, if possible, LW-UV light (some adhesives fluoresce). Check around apophyllite–stellerite junctions as these are often glued.

• Assembly and Composite Plates:

  • Watch for “built” matrices where a hemisphere is mounted on unrelated basalt. Inconsistent mineral associations or unnatural fit at the contact line can be clues.

• Cleaning and Surface Treatments:

  • Acid cleaning to remove calcite/clay is routine; it can slightly etch delicate surfaces, dulling luster. Avoid pieces with uneven sheen or “burned” look.
  • Polishing is rare and undesirable—hemisphere tops should show natural micro-texture, not a mirror-like finish.

Inclusions of clay or minor iron staining are common and acceptable if they don’t detract. Always ask dealers to disclose any repairs or stabilization.

Care and Storage

• Handling:

  • Stellerite blades are brittle. Handle matrix pieces by the rock, never by the hemisphere/fan. Use two hands and support the base when moving larger plates.

• Cleaning:

  • Dust gently with a soft brush or canned air. For grime, use lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap; rinse well and air-dry.
  • Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and high-pressure sprays—these can shatter fans or dislodge glued associations.
  • Avoid strong acids and chelators; while zeolites have some acid resistance, matrix and surface luster may suffer. If iron staining must be treated (e.g., with sodium dithionite solutions), test cautiously off to the side first.

• Light and Temperature:

  • Colors are generally stable, but avoid prolonged direct sun and heat sources. Rapid temperature swings can stress and crack blades.
  • LED display lighting is ideal.

• Environment and Storage:

  • Normal indoor humidity is fine. Store each specimen separately in padded boxes or on secure stands in the case. Prevent heavier or harder specimens from contacting delicate zeolite surfaces.
  • If displayed in seismic/vibration-prone areas, secure with a small amount of museum putty applied to the matrix, not the hemisphere.

With thoughtful selection and gentle care, stellerite’s soft hues and radiant forms will remain a calming highlight in any collection.