Actinolite
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Description
A green to black mineral 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, 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.
Synonyms and Related Terms
nephrite
Other Properties
Monoclinic system with fibrous or granular crystalline masses.
Luster = vitreous to silky. Streak = colorless
Cleavage is perfect in two directions; fracture is splintery
| Composition | Ca2(MgFe)5Si8O22(OH)2 |
|---|---|
| Mohs Hardness | 5.0-6.0 |
| Density | 3.0-3.2 |
| Refractive Index | 1.60-1.64 |
Additional Information
° Mineralogy Database: actinolite
Sources Checked for Data in Record
- C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
- Website address 1 Comment: Mineralogy Database: actinolite
- Website address 2 Comment: Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actinolite (accessed Sept. 2007)
- Website address 1 Comment: Mineralogy Database: actinolite (accessed Sept. 2007)
- Website address 2 Comment: Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Actinolite (accessed Sept. 2007); RI=1.606-1.641; max. abs=503 nm; streak=white
- C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979 Comment: streak=colorless
- Website address 1 Comment: Mineralogy Database: actinolite (accessed Sept. 2007); sp. grav.=2.98-3.1; hardness=5.5
- Website address 3 Comment: MinDat.org: actinolite (accessed Sept. 2007); sp. grav.=3.03-3.24; streak=white; cleavage=good in one direction