Difference between revisions of "Actinolite"

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[[File:Actinolite R040063 Sample Photo 34230 M.jpg|thumb|Actinolite crystals<br>Image credit: [https://rruff.info/actinolite/display=default/R040063 RRUFF]]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
  
A green to black mineral composed of calcium-magnesium silicate. Actinolite mixed with tremolite forms [[nephrite|nephrite]], a translucent green mineral that is one of the forms of [[jade|jade]].  Actinolite deposits occur in Great Britain, Russia, Japan, China, Austalia, Brazil, Canada (British Columbia), and the U.S. (Alaska, California, Wyoming and Vermont). The transparent to opaque stone is used as a filler in paints and ceramics.
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Green to black acicular to bladed crystals composed of calcium-magnesium silicate. Actinolite mixed with tremolite forms [[nephrite|nephrite]], a translucent green mineral that is one of the forms of [[jade|jade]].  Actinolite deposits occur in Great Britain, Russia, Japan, China, Australia, Brazil, Canada (British Columbia), and the U.S. (Alaska, California, Wyoming and Vermont). It is often found in association with talc and chlorite.  The transparent to opaque stone is used as a filler in paints and ceramics.
  
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
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[[File:Actinolite raman RRUFF R040063.png|thumb|Raman spectrum <br> Image credit: [https://rruff.info/actinolite/display=default/R040063 RRUFF]]]
 
nephrite
 
nephrite
  
 
== Physical and Chemical Properties ==
 
== Physical and Chemical Properties ==
  
* Monoclinic system with fibrous or granular crystalline masses.    
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* Monoclinic system with fibrous crystalline masses     
* Luster = vitreous to silky.
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* Luster = vitreous to silky  
 
* Streak = colorless   
 
* Streak = colorless   
* Cleavage is perfect in two directions; fracture is splintery
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* Cleavage = perfect in two directions
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* Fracture = splintery to granular
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* Fluorescence = inert
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"

Latest revision as of 12:02, 16 December 2022

Actinolite crystals
Image credit: RRUFF

Description

Green to black acicular to bladed crystals composed of calcium-magnesium silicate. Actinolite mixed with tremolite forms Nephrite, a translucent green mineral that is one of the forms of Jade. Actinolite deposits occur in Great Britain, Russia, Japan, China, Australia, Brazil, Canada (British Columbia), and the U.S. (Alaska, California, Wyoming and Vermont). It is often found in association with talc and chlorite. The transparent to opaque stone is used as a filler in paints and ceramics.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Raman spectrum
Image credit: RRUFF

nephrite

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Monoclinic system with fibrous crystalline masses
  • Luster = vitreous to silky
  • Streak = colorless
  • Cleavage = perfect in two directions
  • Fracture = splintery to granular
  • Fluorescence = inert
Composition Ca2(MgFe)5Si8O22(OH)2
Mohs Hardness 5.0-6.0
Density 3.0-3.2 g/ml
Refractive Index 1.60-1.64

Resources and Citations

  • C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
  • MinDat.org: actinolite (accessed Sept. 2007); sp. grav.=3.03-3.24; streak=white; cleavage=good in one direction