Mindat Logo
Home Page Log In Message Board The Mindat Directory
Register Search Pages Chat Now! (2 online) Mindat Auctions

Orthochrysotile

System:OrthorhombicHardness:2½ - 3
A polytype of Chrysotile

Originally described from Cuddapah, Chennai (Madras), Andhra Pradesh, India.

Classification of Orthochrysotile

IMA status:Discredited 2006
Explanation of status:A polytype of chrysotile
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/H.27-40

8 : Silicates
H : Phyllosilicates (layered), Tetragonal or pseudotetragonal layered structures [Si4O10]4- and others
27 : Serpentine group
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.4.6

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
4 : Silicates of Mg
mindat.org URL:http://www.mindat.org/min-3025.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Physical Properties of Orthochrysotile

Hardness (Mohs):2½ - 3

Crystallography of Orthochrysotile

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 5.34Å, b = 9.24Å, c = 14.2Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.578 : 1 : 1.537
Unit Cell Volume:V 700.65 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Orthochrysotile

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

Relationship of Orthochrysotile to other Species

Member of:Serpentine Group
Related Minerals - Strunz Grouping):

- +
8/H.27-10Antigorite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
5
]
8/H.27-20Lizardite
Mg
 
3
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
5
]
8/H.27-50Parachrysotile
8/H.27-55Caryopilite
(Mn,Mg)
 
3
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
8/H.27-60Greenalite
Fe
 
2-3
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
8/H.27-70Berthierine
(Fe,Fe,Mg)
 
2-3
(Si,Al)
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
8/H.27-80Fraipontite
(Zn,Al)
 
3
[(OH)
 
4
|(Si,Al)
 
2
O
 
5
]
8/H.27-95Dozyite
Mg
 
7
Al
 
2
[(OH)
 
12
|Al
 
2
Si
 
4
O
 
15
]
8/H.27-100Amesite
Mg
 
2
Al[(OH)
 
4
|AlSiO
 
5
]
8/H.27-110Kellyite
Mn
2+
2
Al[(OH)
 
4
|AlSiO
 
5
]
8/H.27-120Cronstedtite
Fe
2+
2
Fe
3+
 
[(Si,Fe
3+
 
)
 
2
O
 
5
](OH)
 
4
8/H.27-140Karpinskite
(Ni,Mg)
 
2
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
2
8/H.27-150Népouite
(Ni,Mg)
 
3
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
8/H.27-160Pecoraite
Ni
 
3
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
5
]
8/H.27-170Brindleyite
(Ni,Mg,Fe)
 
2
Al(Si,Al)O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
8/H.27-190Carlosturanite
(Mg,Fe,Ti)
 
21
(Si,Al)
 
12
O
 
28
(OH)
 
34
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
14.4.1Forsterite
Mg
 
2
[SiO
 
4
]
14.4.2Enstatite
Mg
 
2
[SiO
 
3
]
 
2
14.4.3Clinoenstatite
Mg
 
2
[Si
 
2
O
 
6
]
14.4.4Chrysotile
Mg
 
3
Si
 
2
O
 
5
(OH)
 
4
14.4.5Clinochrysotile
14.4.7Parachrysotile
14.4.8Lizardite
Mg
 
3
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
5
]
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
Si
 
4
O
 
10
(OH)
 
2
14.4.15Antigorite
(Mg,Fe
2+
 
)
 
3
[(OH)
 
4
|Si
 
2
O
 
5
]
14.4.16 Magnesio-anthophyllite

Other Names for Orthochrysotile

Other Languages:
German:Orthochrysotil

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Orthochrysotile

Reference List:Whittaker, E.J.W. (1956b) The structure of chrysotile . III. Orthochrysotile. Acta Crystallographica: 9: 862-864.

Internet Links for Orthochrysotile

Search Engines:
  • Look for Orthochrysotile on Google
  • Look for Orthochrysotile images on Google
    • External Links:
  • Orthochrysotile details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
    • Mineral Dealers:
  • Wilensky Fine Minerals
  • High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service
  • Edwards Minerals - Fine Specimens
  • Buy Fine Minerals from mineralsweb.com
  • Rare and Unusual minerals at Mineralogical Research Company
  • Mineral Classics - Worldwide Collector Quality Minerals and Gems
  • Fine Minerals from Dan Weinrich Minerals
  • Find Orthochrysotile on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
  • The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals
  • Top quality minerals from Kristalle of California
  • Buy from David K Joyce minerals
  • Wendel Minerals - Auktion & Shop
    • Jobs:
  • Mining & Geology Jobs

    • Page Sponsor

    Sponsorship:This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.

    Localities for Orthochrysotile

    Hide Locality List
    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.
    (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.
    India
     
    • Tamil Nadu
      • Chennai (Madras)
    		Rev. Min. (1988), 91
    Norway
     
    • Buskerud
    		Mineralogical Record: 32: 196.
    Swaziland
     
    • Hhohho District
      • Havelock
    		No reference listed
    Sweden
     
    • Småland
      • Jönköping
        • Månsarp
    		Hans Thulin
    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.
    USA
     
    • California
      • Calaveras Co.
    • Nevada
      • Eureka Co.
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • Nye Co.
        • Gabbs District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Jersey
      • Sussex Co.
        • Franklin Mining District
    		Dunn(1995):Pt4:485.
    • Vermont
      • Orleans & Lamoille Cos.
        • Lowell & Eden
    		No reference listed
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
    www.mindat.org Web
    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 4th Nov 2009 04:48:24