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Zeolite is a group name for a large number of aluminosilicate minerals that share an open framework. The porous structure allows a wide variety of loosely held positive cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) that occur naturally in these minerals to be exchanged for other cations when placed in water. This filtering ability of zeolites has led to their use in many industrial applications, including home water filtering systems.

The term zeolite [from the Greek zeo, to boil, and lithos, stone] is attributed to Swedish mineralogist Axel Cronsetedt, who in 1756 observed that rapidly heated zeolite produced large amounts of steam.

Over 232 unique zeolite frameworks have been identified with over 45 occurring naturally. Synthetic zeolites are produced industrially on a large scale for use in commercial applications including adsorbents and catalysts, water purification, separation of gases and molecules, on-board oxygen generating systems, solar thermal collectors, and non-clumping cat litter.  The largest single use is the global laundry detergent market. 

Natural zeolites form where volcanic rocks and ash layers react with alkaline groundwater, and in shallow marine basins.

Minerals often associated with zeolites include apophyllite and prehnite.

Some types of zeolite that can be found at Taos Rockers (in-store or online, subject to supply and demand) include:

Analcime Na(AlSi₂O₆) · H₂O

Chabazite CaAl₂Si₄O₁₂ · 6H₂O

Heulandite CaAl₂Si₇O₁₈ · 6H₂O

Laumontite CaAl₂Si₄O₁₂ · 4H₂O

Mordenite (Na₂,Ca,K₂)Al₂Si₁₀O₂₄ · 7H₂O

Natrolite Na₂Al₂Si₃O₁₀ · 2H₂O

Mesolite Na₂Ca₂Si₉Al₆O₃₀ · 8H₂O

Scolecite CaAl₂Si₃O₁₀ · 3H₂O

Pollucite (Cs,Na)₂(Al₂Si₄O₁₂) · 2H₂O

Stellerite Ca₄(Si₂₈Al₈)O₇₂ · 28H₂O

Stilbite CaAl₂Si₇O₁₈ · 7H₂O

Thomsonite (Ca,Na)₆Al₈(Al,Si)₂Si₁₀O₄₀· 12H₂O

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