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Clinochrysotile

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Big Photo

Belvidere Mountain Quarries (Vermont Asbestos Group mine; VAG mine; Ruberoid Asbestos mine; Eden Mills quarries), Lowell & Eden, Orleans & Lamoille Cos., Vermont, USA
© 2006 Peter Cristofono

Show Clinochrysotile Photos (14)



System:MonoclinicColour:Pale green to white, ...
Hardness:2½ - 3
Member of:Serpentine Group
Name:The original chrysotile was named in 1834, but was re-named clinochrysotile in 1951 and this is by far the most common polytype and the most common commercial asbestos mineral. Chrysotile was reinstated as the species name of the chrysotile polytypes in 2006.
A polytype of Chrysotile

Originally reported from Zloty Stok (Reichenstein), Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie), Poland.

Classification of Clinochrysotile

IMA status:Redefined Approved 2006
Explanation of status:Polytype of chrysotile.
Dana 8th edition ID:71.1.2d.1

71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
1 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 1:1 layers
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.4.5

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
4 : Silicates of Mg
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Physical Properties of Clinochrysotile

Lustre:Resinous, Greasy, Silky
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent
Colour:Pale green to white, also yellow to brown, light gray.
Streak:White
Hardness (Mohs):2½ - 3
Hardness Data:Measured
Tenacity:Flexible
Parting:Cylinders of chrysotile separate as fine flexible threads or fibers.
Fracture:Fibrous
Comment:Somewhat brittle
Density (measured):2.53-2.55 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.63 g/cm3

Crystallography of Clinochrysotile

Crystal System:Monoclinic
Class (H-M):2/m - Prismatic
Cell Parameters:a = 5.3Å, b = 9.19Å, c = 14.63Å
β = 93°
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.577 : 1 : 1.592
Unit Cell Volume:V 711.61 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:4
Morphology:Fibrous, although fine-grained clinochrysotile may be dense and homogeneous in appearance.
Comment:Settings include Cc and C2/m
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
7.1 (90)
4.60 (20)
4.40 (20)
4.07 (10)
3.55 (60)
2.65 (30)
2.39 (100)
2.001 (30)
Comments:21-1262 [Cc space group]

Optical Data of Clinochrysotile

Type:Biaxial (-)
RI values: nα = 1.545 - 1.569 nβ = 1.546 - 1.569 nγ = 1.553 - 1.571
2V:Measured: 20° to 60°
Birefringence:0.001-0.008
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.008

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:Low
Dispersion:relatively weak
Optical Extinction:Inclined
Pleochroism:Non-pleochroic
Comments:May be weakly pleochroic

Relationship of Clinochrysotile to other Species

Member of:Serpentine Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Amesite
Mg
 
2
Al(AlSiO
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Antigorite
Mg
 
3
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Berthierine
(Fe,Fe,Mg)
 
2-3
((Si,Al)
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Brindleyite
(Ni,Mg,Fe)
 
2
(Al(Si,Al)O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Caryopilite
(Mn,Mg)
 
3
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Chrysotile
Mg
 
3
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Cronstedtite
Fe
2+
2
Fe
3+
 
((Si,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Dickite
Al
 
2
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Fraipontite
(Zn,Al)
 
3
((Si,Al)
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Greenalite
Fe
 
2-3
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Halloysite
Al
 
2
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Kaolinite
Al
 
2
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Kellyite
Mn
2+
2
Al(AlSiO
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Lizardite
Mg
 
3
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Manandonite
LiAl
 
4
(BSi
 
3
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
6
Nacrite
Al
 
2
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Népouite
(Ni,Mg)
 
3
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Odinite
(Fe,Mg,Al,Fe,Ti,Mn)
 
2.4
((Si,Al)
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Orthochrysotile
Parachrysotile
Pecoraite
Ni
 
3
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
14.4.1Forsterite
Mg
 
2
SiO
 
4
14.4.2Enstatite
MgSiO
 
3
14.4.3Clinoenstatite
MgSiO
 
3
14.4.4Chrysotile
Mg
 
3
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
14.4.6Orthochrysotile
14.4.7Parachrysotile
14.4.8Lizardite
Mg
 
3
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
14.4.9Talc
Mg
 
3
(Si
 
4
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
2
14.4.10Spadaite
MgSiO
 
2
(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O (?)
14.4.11Sepiolite
Mg
 
4
(Si
 
6
O
 
15
)(OH)
 
2
 · 6H
 
2
O
14.4.12Loughlinite
Na
 
2
Mg
 
3
Si
 
6
O
 
16
 · 8H
 
2
O
14.4.13Eifelite
KNa
 
3
Mg
 
4
Si
 
12
O
 
30
14.4.14Stevensite
(Ca,Na)
 
x
Mg
 
3-x
(Si
 
4
O
 
10
)(OH)
 
2
14.4.15Antigorite
Mg
 
3
(Si
 
2
O
 
5
)(OH)
 
4
14.4.16 Magnesio-anthophyllite

Other Names for Clinochrysotile

Synonyms:
Klinochrysotil
Other Languages:
German:Clinochrysotil

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Not fluorescent
Health Warning:Safe when in large chunks or fragments. Fine particles which can be airborne should be avoided. Low level frequent dust exposure may cause lung cancer.

References for Clinochrysotile

Reference List:

- +
Whittaker, E.J.W. (1956a) The structure of chrysotile. II. Clinochrysotile. Acta Crystallographica: 9: 855-862.

Dana's New Mineralogy, 8th edition, 1997, Gaines, R., Skinner, C., Foord, E., Mason, B., Rosenzweig, A., and King, V., p. 1428-1430.

Canadian Mineralogist 44 (2006), 1557

Internet Links for Clinochrysotile

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    • Localities for Clinochrysotile

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Australia
     
    • Victoria
      • Phillip Island
        • Kitty Miller Bay
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Hohe Tauern Mts
    		G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
        • Goldberg group
          • Kleine Fleiß valley
    		G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
      • Karawanken Mts
        • Bad Eisenkappel (Bad Eisenkappl)
          • Ebriach
    		G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
    G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
    • Salzburg
      • Radstädter Tauern Mts
        • Großarl valley
          • Großarl
    		A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs, 1989
    A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs, 1989
    • Styria
      • Frohnleiten
        • Kirchdorf
    		Kolitsch, U. et al. (2008)
    Canada
     
    • Manitoba
      • Thompson Nickel Belt
        • Churchill Province
          • Ospwagan Lake & Paint Lake area
    • Ontario
      • Hastings Co.
        • Marmora Township
          • Deloro
    		Van King
    • Québec
      • Chaudière-Appalaches
        • Les Appalaches RCM
          • Thetford Mines
    		Van King
            • Black Lake
    		Taner, M. F. and Laurent, R., 1984, Iron-rich Amesite from the Lake Asbestos Mine, Black Lake, Quebec, Canadian Mineralogist, v. 22, p. 437-442
      • Estrie
        • Les Sources RCM
          • Asbestos
    		Van King
    France
     
    • Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
      • Hautes-Alpes
        • Chateau Ville-Vieille
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Lahr
          • Reichenbach
            • Schuttertal
    		K. Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
        • Todtmoos
    		K. Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
    • Saxony
      • Glauchau
        • Callenberg
    		XRD analysis (T. Witzke)
    Hungary
     
    • Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén Co.
      • Aggteleki Mts.
    		Koch: Minerals of Hungary
    Italy
     
    • Aosta Valley
      • Nus
        • Saint-Barthélemy
    		• Barresi, A.A., Kolitsch, U., Ciriotti, M.E., Ambrino, P., Bracco, R., Bonacina, E. (2005): La miniera di manganese di Varenche (Aosta, Italia nord-occidentale): ardennite, arseniopleite, manganberzeliite, pirofanite, sarkinite, thortveitite, nuovo As-Sc-analogo della metavariscite e altre specie. Micro (località), 2/2005, 81-122.
    • Liguria
      • Genova Province
        • Ne
    		[MinRec 32:360]
    Redazionale (2005): Sistematica ligure: resoconto 2005. Notiziario di Mineralogia del Ferrania Club, 19 , 3-5.
            • Reppia
    		Redazione (2005): Sistematica ligure: resoconto 2005. Notiziario di Mineralogia Ferrania Club, 19, 3-5.
    • Lombardy
      • Sondrio Province
        • Malenco Valley
    		Van King
    • Trentino-Alto Adige
      • Trento Province
        • Fiemme Valley
          • Predazzo
    		Collection of NHM, Vienna
    Japan
     
    • Hokkaido
      • Hidaka Province
        • Biratori
    		H. Okada (1964) Memoirs of the Faculty of Science, Kyushu University, Series D, Geology, 15, #1, 23-38.
    • Honshu Island
      • Chugoku Region
        • Yamaguchi Prefecture
          • Iwakuni City
            • Nishiki-cho
    		Motoiki Saito (1973) Some serpentine minerals occurring in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan. Journal of Science of the Hiroshima University, series C, 7, 21-36.
              • Mitake
    		Motoiki Saito (1973) Some serpentine minerals occurring in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan. Journal of Science of the Hiroshima University, series C, 7, 21-36.
    Namibia
     
    • Erongo Region
      • Karibib District
    		- Bezing, L. von, Bode, R. & Jahn, S. (2007): Namibia. Mineralien und Fundstellen. Edition Schloss Freudenstein, Bode Verlag, Haltern, 411 pp. (in English)
    • Karas Region
      • Great Namaqualand
        • Warmbad
    		Lapis 25(2), 39-41 (2000)
    Norway
     
    • Rogaland
      • Gjesdal
        • Moi
    		Andresen, Peter (1990): Fra Steinrøysa. STEIN 17 (4),36
    • Sør-Trøndelag
      • Oppdal
        • Vinstradalen
    		Witsø, T. (2005): Mineraler i Vinstradalen, Oppdal. Norsk Bergverksmuseum Skrifter 30: 72-73
    • Telemark
      • Bamble (Bamle)
    		Neumann, H. (ed)(1960): Mineral occurences in southern Norway. Guide to excursions no. A.15 and no. C.12. International Geological Congress XXI Session Norden 1960, Oslo. 18p
    Poland
     
    • Lower Silesia (Dolnośląskie)
    		Rev. Min. 19 (1988), 91; HB2/1 (1995); Canadian Mineralogist 44 (2006), 1557
    Russia
     
    • Northern Region
      • Murmanskaja Oblast'
        • Kola Peninsula
    Slovakia
     
    • Banská Bystrica Region
    		Ďuďa R.,Kotuľak P., Káňa R., 1993: Bergbau und Mineralien von Banská Štiavnica (Schemnitz), Slowakei. Emser Hefte, 14, 3, 1-70, Haltern
    • Košice Region
      • Rožňava Co.
    		Pauliš P., Ďuďa R., 2002:Nejznámejší mineralogická nalezište Slovenska. Kuttna, Kutná Hora, 136p
    South Africa
     
    • Mpumalanga Province
    		Minerals of South Africa
    • Northern Cape Province
      • Kalahari manganese fields
        • Hotazel
    		[Von Bezing, K. L. et al. (1991) - The Kalahari manganese field : an update, Mineralogical Record, 22 (3), 279-302]
    Swaziland
     
    • Hhohho District
      • Havelock
    		Van King; Canadian Mineralogist (1979) 17:679-691
    Sweden
     
    • Värmland
      • Filipstad
    		Nysten, P., Holtstam, D. and Jonsson, E. (1999) The Långban minerals. In Långban - The mines,their minerals, geology and explorers (D. Holtstam and J. Langhof, eds.), Swedish Museum of Natural History and Raster Förlag, Stockholm & Chr. Weise Verlag, Munich, pp. 89-183.
        • Persberg district
    		Östra Värmlands Mineral Society,Långban,Sweden
          • Pajsberg
    		Nysten, P. (2004): Harstigen ett mineralogisk eldorado i Bergslagen. Norsk Bergverksmuseum Skrift 28: 5-13
    Switzerland
     
    • Grischun (Grisons; Graubünden)
      • Albula Valley
        • Landwasser Valley
          • Davos
            • Wolfgang
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz. Wepf (Basel), p. 114-115.
    • Wallis (Valais)
      • Zermatt - Saas Fee area
        • Matt Valley
          • Zermatt
            • Findel glacier (Findeln glacier; Findelen glacier) area
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Verlag Wepf & Co. (Basel), p. 87
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Mule Mts
          • Warren District
            • Bisbee
              • Queen Hill
                • Copper Queen Mine (Halero Mine)
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 177.
    Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 381.
      • Gila Co.
        • Fort Apache Indian Reservation
    		Van King
    Van King
        • Salt River District
          • Salt River
            • Mule Hoof Bend (Oxbow Bend)
    		Van King
      • Graham Co.
        • Aravaipa District
          • Santa Teresa Mts
            • Aravaipa
              • Landsman Camp (Landsman group)
    		Grant, Raymond W., Bideaux, R.A., and Williams, S.A. (2006) Minerals Added to the Arizona List 1995-2005: 4.
    • California
      • Fresno Co.
        • Diablo Range
          • New Idria District
    		Page, N.J. and Coleman, R.G. (1967) Serpentine mineral analyses and physical properties. USGS Professional Paper 575-B: 104; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 143, 422.
    Rice, S.J. (1966) Asbestos: uses and economic importance. California Division of Mines and Geology Bulletin 191: 86-92; Page, N.J. and Coleman, R.G. (1967) Serpentine mineral analyses and physical properties. USGS Professional Paper 575-B: 103-107; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 64, 422.
    Montoya, J.W. & Gretta S. Baur (1963), Nickeliferous serpentines, chlorites, and related minerals found in two lateritic ores: American Mineralogist: 48: 1227, 1228.
      • Inyo Co.
    		MinRec 15:5
      • San Francisco Co.
    		Schlocker, J. (1974) Geology of the San Francisco North quadrangle. USGS Professional Paper 782, 109 pp.: 58; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 424.
    • Maine
      • Franklin Co.
    		King & Foord, 1994. Mineralogy of Maine, Vo. 1.
    http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1189/downloads/asbestos_sites.xls.
      • Hancock Co.
        • Deer Isle
    		King & Foord, 1994. Mineralogy of Maine, V. 1.
    • Michigan
      • Marquette Co.
        • Marquette iron range
    		Mineralogy of Michigan (2004) Heinrich & Robinson
    • Nevada
      • Lyon Co.
        • Yerington District
          • Artesia Lake
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Nye Co.
        • Gabbs District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • White Pine Co.
        • Currant District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Jersey
      • Morris Co.
    		Van King
    Weber, J. and Greer, R., 1965, Dehydration of Serpentine, American Mineralogist, v 50,p 450-464.
      • Sussex Co.
        • Franklin Mining District
          • Franklin
    		Aristarain, et al: Am. Min.:59:66-70 (1974); Foshag, W.F.: Am. Min.:11:38-39 (1926); Dunn(1995):Pt4:485.
          • Ogdensburg
            • Sterling Hill
    		Francis, C.A.: The Picking Table:31(2):4-6 (1990); Dunn(1995):Pt4:485.
    • New York
    		John H. Betts (2009) "The minerals of New York City", Rocks & Minerals, 84, 204-240.
    • Pennsylvania
      • Lebanon Co.
        • Cornwall
    		Weber, J. and Greer, R., 1965, Dehydration of Serpentine, American Mineralogist, v 50,p 450-464.
    • Rhode Island
      • Providence Co.
        • Johnston
    		Michael W. Kieron coll.; Rocks & Minerals (1986) 61:264-275
        • Lincoln
          • Lime Rock
    		No reference listed
    • Vermont
      • Orleans & Lamoille Cos.
        • Lowell & Eden
    		 Chidester, A.H., Albee, A.L., and Cady, W.M., (1978). Petrology, structure and genesis of the asbestos-bearing ultramafic rocks of the Belvidere Mountain area in Vermont: U.S. Geologic Survey Professional Paper 1016
      • Windham Co.
        • Newfane
    		Rocks & Min. Vol. 71, (1996)
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