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Chrysotile

UNB-2017-0046Minerals » Silicates » Phyllosilicates

Description

Sample of green, yellow and black fibrous Chrysotile with a silky lustre. Serpentine ((Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4) can be olive-green, blackish to yellowish green, brown, yellow or white (rare). Lustre can be greasy, waxy or silky (Chrysotile) and streak in white. Hardness ranges from 3 to 5 and cleavage is perfect micaceous when it is found as Antigorite. Antigorite is not found as crystals and is usually found in massive form while Chrysotile is fibrous. Serpentine can also be lamellar and columnar.

Specifications

Object nameChrysotile
IDUNB-2017-0046
Legal statusPermanent collection
CategoryMineral
Classification
Mineral group:
Silicates
Sub-group:
Phyllosilicates
Composition
  • (Al,Fe2+,Fe3+Li,Mg,Mn,Ni)5−6(Al,Fe3+,Si)4(O,OH)18
  • K(Fe,Mg)3AlSi3O10(OH)2
  • (Mg,Fe2+)5Al(Si3Al)O10(OH)8
  • Various (e.g., Muscovite - KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2)
  • Al2Si2O5(OH)4
  • K(Li,Al)3(Al,Si,Rb)4O10(F,OH)2
  • Na2AlSi3O8·H2O
  • LiAlSi4O10
  • NaAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
  • D3[Si2O5](OH)4
  • Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
  • KAl2(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2
OriginUnknown
Pieces1
PartialNo
Measurements
  • 1.1cm x 8.5cm x 4.3cm

Publications

  • Chesterman, C.W. 1979. Audubon Society, Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals. Knopf.