Analcite or analcime (from the Greekanalkimos - "weak") is a white, grey, or colourless tectosilicatemineral. Analcite consists of hydrated sodiumaluminiumsilicate in cubic crystalline form. Its chemical formula is NaAlSi2O6·H2O. Minor potassium and calcium substitute for sodium. A silver bearing synthetic variety also exists (Ag_analcite).
Analcite is usually classified as a zeolite mineral, but structurally and chemically it is more similar to the feldspathoids. Analcite occurs as a primary mineral in analcme basalt and other alkaline igneous rocks. Also occurs as cavity and vesicle fillings associated with prehnite, calcite, and zeolites.
Also leucite is typically embedded in host rock where as analcime, when displaying good crystals and not massive or granular, is loose or attacted to other minerals in volcanic cavities.
Analcime is sometimes placed in the feldspathoid group since its chemistry and occassional occurrences are similar.
Analcime's structure however has a typical zeolite openness about it that allows large ions and molecules to reside and actually move around inside the overall framework.
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