| Tremolite | |
|---|---|
Tremolite from the type locality in Switzerland |
|
| General | |
| Category | Amphiboles |
| Chemical formula | Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2 |
| Strunz classification | 9.DE.10 |
| Crystal symmetry | Monoclinic 2/m prismatic |
| Unit cell | a = 9.84 Å, b = 18.02 Å, c = 5.27 Å; β = 104.95°; Z = 2 |
| Identification | |
| Color | White, gray, lavender to pink, light green, light yellow |
| Crystal habit | Elongated prismatic, or flattened crystals; also as fibrous, granular or columnar aggregates |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Twinning | Simple or multiple, common parallel to {100}; rarely parallel to {001} |
| Cleavage | Perfect on {110} at 56° and 124°; partings on {010} and {100} |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Mohs scale hardness | 5 – 6 |
| Luster | Vitreous |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.99 – 3.03 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial (-) |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.599 - 1.612 nβ = 1.613 - 1.626 nγ = 1.625 - 1.637 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.026 |
| 2V angle | Measured: 86° to 88° |
| Ultraviolet fluorescence | Short UV=yellow, Long UV=range pink |
| References | [1][2][3] |
Tremolite is a member of the amphibole group of silicate minerals with composition: Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2. Tremolite forms by metamorphism of sediments rich in dolomite and quartz. Tremolite forms a series with actinolite and ferro-actinolite. Pure magnesium tremolite is creamy white, but the color grades to dark green with increasing iron content. It has a hardness on Mohs scale of 5 to 6. Nephrite, one of the two minerals of the gemstone jade, is a green variety of tremolite.
The fibrous form of tremolite is one of the six recognised types of asbestos. This material is toxic and inhaling the fibers can lead to asbestosis, lung cancer and both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma. Fibrous tremolite is sometimes found as a contaminant in vermiculite, chrysotile (itself a type of asbestos) and talc.
Contents |
Tremolite is an indicator of metamorphic grade since at high temperatures it converts to diopside.
Tremolite occurs as a result of contact metamorphism of calcium and magnesium rich siliceous sedimentary rocks and in greenschist facies metamorphic rocks derived from ultramafic or magnesium carbonate bearing rocks. Associated minerals include calcite, dolomite, grossular, wollastonite, talc, diopside, forsterite, cummingtonite, riebeckite and winchite.[2]
Tremolite was first described in 1789 for an occurrence in Campolungo, Piumogna Valley, Leventina, Ticino (Tessin), Switzerland.[1]
One of the six recognised types of asbestos. Approximately 36,500 tonnes of tremolite asbestos are mined anually in India.[4] It is otherwise only found as a contaminant.