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Identity Helpregion Pulpi, andalucia, spain

13th Apr 2024 05:25 UTCyvan de sutter

hi, I'm new here. I'm not someone who is actively looking for minerals. But last week I found something and I'd like any-one's comment in order to learn more. I immediately thought it was asbestos (because I used to work in the production of asbestos-related products, many years ago) but I'm not sure. While walking through the mountain I saw a hole and out of curiousity I looked in it. I saw some reflection due to the cellphone's light and when I looked closer I saw what you see on the photo. there was more of this. it was realy a surprise but the next day I was 2000 km further when I realised that I didn't take a specimen nor better photo's. what a pity. so thanks anyone for giving comment. kind regards.

Questions Answered
Can it scratch glass? : Unable to test
Can you scratch it with your fingernail? : Unable to test
Is it light/heavy for the size? : Unable to test

13th Apr 2024 06:27 UTCFrank K. Mazdab 🌟 Manager

FYI, I've deleted your earlier duplicate post in an old thread about serpentine. It is more appropriate to start a new thread than to re-open an old one with an unrelated post. But just in general, so you're aware, please don't post the same ID request in multiple threads.

13th Apr 2024 15:29 UTCyvan de sutter

I understand, sorry for any inconvenience ;-)

13th Apr 2024 12:52 UTCKevin Conroy Manager

The white fibrous mineral might be chrysotile:

https://www.mindat.org/min-975.html

13th Apr 2024 14:34 UTCJordi Fabre Manager

It seems to be fibrous Gypsum. The Pulpí region is famous for its abundance of Gypsum, which often exhibits this appearance there. It would be as easy as testing if it scratches with a fingernail, a pity that it can't be done. In any case, almost certainly, it must be gypsum. The material around, looking sedimentary, further reinforces the probability.

13th Apr 2024 15:15 UTCErik Vercammen Expert

Try to scratch a fingernail with the gypsum: if no trace, it is softer than the 2,5 of the nail, so gypsum (hardness 2) for sure.

13th Apr 2024 15:53 UTCyvan de sutter

I'll try to give more info. the white are fibres, the black stuff seems like stone/rockdust, if you squeeze it, it falls apart. in the near area silver and lead were excavated, no gypsum. I found a second foto with fibers. If this is asbestos, do I have to inform someone ? because people hike in this area. in three months I will return and look for better foto's. thanks for reacting !

13th Apr 2024 15:21 UTCKevin Conroy Manager

yvan de sutter ✉️

I realised that I didn't take a specimen

Unfortunately it seems that tests aren't possible.

13th Apr 2024 15:36 UTCKevin Conroy Manager

I trust Jordi's identification.

13th Apr 2024 16:15 UTCJordi Fabre Manager

Gypsum for sure.

13th Apr 2024 16:44 UTCUwe Kolitsch Manager

Looks like an asbestiform amphibole to me.

16th Apr 2024 02:06 UTCGregg Little 🌟

Breaking up in hair-like masses to me seems more like the habit of chrysotile or byssolite. Fibrous gypsum, satin spar, in my experience does not not disaggregate into fine hairs but bundles of parallel fibers.

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