Chem. Sci., 2026, Advance Article DOI: 10.1039/D6SC02206E, Edge Article Kexin Yan, Feng Lin, Zhaoqi Ye, Yifan Zhang, Yang Zhao, Zhangping Shi, Di Pan, Yahong Zhang, Hongbin Zhang, Yi Tang We report a methodology that completely deconstructs the “black box” of zeolite crystallization in gels. Using MTW-type zeolite as a model, we isolate and characterize all particulate species, revealing the crystallization mechanism.