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Parachrysotile

System:OrthorhombicHardness:2½ - 3
A polytype of Chrysotile

Classification of Parachrysotile

IMA status:Discredited 2006
Explanation of status:Polytype of Chrysotile
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/H.27-50

8 : Silicates
H : Phyllosilicates (layered), Tetragonal or pseudotetragonal layered structures [Si4O10]4- and others
27 : Serpentine group
Hey's CIM Ref.:14.4.7

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

Hardness (Mohs):2½ - 3

Crystallography of Parachrysotile

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Cell Parameters:a = 5.3Å, b = 9.24Å, c = 14.71Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.574 : 1 : 1.592
Unit Cell Volume:V 720.38 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Optical Data of Parachrysotile

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 Parachrysotile 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.27-40Orthochrysotile
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
14.4.6Orthochrysotile
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 Parachrysotile

German names:
Parachrysotil

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 Parachrysotile

Reference List:Whittaker, E.J.W. (1956b) The structure of chrysotile . IV. Parachrysotile. Acta Crystallographica: 9: 865-867.

American Mineralogist (1957): 42: 585.

Internet Links for Parachrysotile

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  • Find Parachrysotile on www.crystalclassics.co.uk
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    Localities for Parachrysotile

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    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.
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    (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.
    Canada
     
    • Québec
      • Richmond Co.
        • Shipton Township
          • Asbestos
    Germany
     
    • Saxony
      • Chemnitz
        • Markersdorf
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    South Africa
     
    • Mpumalanga Province
      • Barberton District
        • Kaapsche Hoop
          • Drakensberg Mts
    		Minerals of South Africa
    USA
     
    • Nevada
      • Nye Co.
        • Gabbs District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Jersey
      • Sussex Co.
        • Franklin Mining District
          • Ogdensburg
            • Sterling Hill
    		No reference listed
    Zimbabwe
     
    • Midlands
      • Zvishavane (Shabani; Shavani)
    Mineral and/or Locality
    Google
     
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