Chrysotile
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Chrysotile
Formula:
Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Lustre:
Silky
Hardness:
2½
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1843 by Franz von Kobell from the Greek chrysos - "gold" and tilos - "fiber."
Polytypes are clinochrysotile, orthochrysotile, and parachrysotile. Clinochrysotile represents almost all of the known chrysotile specimens. Orthochrysotile is rare and parachrysotile is very rare.
Lizardite and antigorite are closely related serpentine-subgroup species.
Chrysotile and lizardite are the low-temperature serpentine minerals, whereas antigorite is the high-temperature (>250°C) serpentine mineral.
Most of the asbestos that was and is mined worldwide, consists of chrysotile.
A regular interstratification of chrysotile and hydrotalcite is known as UM1995-40-SiO:AlHMg.
Lizardite and antigorite are closely related serpentine-subgroup species.
Chrysotile and lizardite are the low-temperature serpentine minerals, whereas antigorite is the high-temperature (>250°C) serpentine mineral.
Most of the asbestos that was and is mined worldwide, consists of chrysotile.
A regular interstratification of chrysotile and hydrotalcite is known as UM1995-40-SiO:AlHMg.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Chrysotile.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
975
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:975:1
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
83fc1520-e57b-4b3e-b751-90af1d74f3ba
IMA Classification of Chrysotile
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA status notes:
Redefined by the IMA
IMA Formula:
Mg3Si2O5(OH)4
Approval history:
Redefined (special procedure) by the IMA in 2007.
Classification of Chrysotile
9..
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
:
:
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
:
:
71.1.5.1
71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
1 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 1:1 layers
71 : PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
1 : Sheets of 6-membered rings with 1:1 layers
14.4.4
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
4 : Silicates of Mg
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
4 : Silicates of Mg
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Ctl | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Ctl | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
Ctl | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
Ctl | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
Ctl | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Ctl | Warr (2020) | Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30 |
Physical Properties of Chrysotile
Silky
Hardness:
2½ on Mohs scale
Optical Data of Chrysotile
Type:
Biaxial
RI values:
nα = 1.569 nγ = 1.570
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.001
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v or r < v
Chemistry of Chrysotile
Mindat Formula:
Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Chrysotile
Polytype:
Formula:
Crystal System:
Class (H-M)
Space Group:
Space Group Setting:
Cell Parameters:
Ratio:
Unit Cell Volume (calc):
Z:
Clinochrysotile | Orthochrysotile | Parachrysotile |
---|---|---|
Monoclinic | Orthorhombic | Orthorhombic |
2/m - Prismatic | ||
a = 5.3 Å, b = 9.19 Å, c = 14.63 Å β = 93° | a = 5.34 Å, b = 9.24 Å, c = 14.2 Å | a = 5.3 Å, b = 9.24 Å, c = 14.71 Å |
a:b:c = 0.577 : 1 : 1.592 | a:b:c = 0.578 : 1 : 1.537 | a:b:c = 0.574 : 1 : 1.592 |
V 711.61 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) | V 700.65 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) | V 720.38 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell) |
4 | 4 |
Crystal Structure
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Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0019917 | Chrysotile | Falini G, Foresti E, Gazzano M, Gualtieri A F, Leoni M, Lesci I G, Roveri N (2004) Tubular-shaped stoichiometric chrysotile nanocrystals Chemistry - A European Journal 10 3043-3049 | 2004 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere | >4.45 |
13 : Hadean serpentinization | |
Near-surface Processes | |
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
24 : Authigenic minerals in terrestrial sediments (see also #17) | |
Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics | <3.5-2.5 |
38 : Ophiolites | |
40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies) |
Type Occurrence of Chrysotile
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Synonyms of Chrysotile
Other Language Names for Chrysotile
Varieties of Chrysotile
Aluminian Chrysotile | An aluminium-rich Chrysotile |
Chrysotilasbest | Asbestiform chrysotile. |
Chrysotile asbestos | Asbestiform chrysotile. Fairly common in serpentinites. |
Ishkildite | A variety differing in optical properties and X-ray powder pattern, and containing excess silica. |
Relationship of Chrysotile to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Amesite | Mg2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4 | Tric. 1 : P1 |
Antigorite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 | Mon. m : Bm |
Berthierine | (Fe2+,Fe3+,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 | Mon. m : Bm |
Brindleyite | (Ni,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 | Mon. |
Caryopilite | Mn2+3Si2O5(OH)4 | Mon. |
Cronstedtite | Fe2+2Fe3+((Si,Fe3+)2O5)(OH)4 | Trig. 3m : P3 1m |
Fraipontite | (Zn,Al)3((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4 | Mon. |
Guidottiite | Mn2Fe3+(Fe3+SiO5)(OH)4 | Hex. 6 : P63 |
Kellyite | Mn2+2Al(AlSiO5)(OH)4 | Hex. 6 : P63 |
Lizardite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 | Trig. 3m : P3 1m |
Népouite | Ni3Si2O5(OH)4 | Orth. |
Pecoraite | Ni3(Si2O5)(OH)4 | Mon. |
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
50 photos of Chrysotile associated with Serpentine Subgroup | D3[Si2O5](OH)4 |
29 photos of Chrysotile associated with Magnetite | Fe2+Fe3+2O4 |
22 photos of Chrysotile associated with Lizardite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
21 photos of Chrysotile associated with Demantoid | Ca3Fe3+2(SiO4)3 |
20 photos of Chrysotile associated with Carlosturanite | (Mg,Fe,Ti)21(Si,Al)12O28(OH)34 · H2O |
17 photos of Chrysotile associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
12 photos of Chrysotile associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
11 photos of Chrysotile associated with Antigorite | Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
7 photos of Chrysotile associated with Epidote | (CaCa)(AlAlFe3+)O[Si2O7][SiO4](OH) |
7 photos of Chrysotile associated with Asbestos |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.. | Ursilite | (Mg/Ca)4(UO2)4(Si2O5)5.5(OH)5 · 13H2O |
9.. | Hiortdahlite I | Na4Ca8Zr2(Nb,Mn,Ti,Fe,Mg,Al)2(Si2O7)4O3F5 |
9.. | Halloysite-7A | |
9.. | Afanasyevaite | |
9.. | Sodicpedrizite | |
9.. | Sodic-ferropedrizite |
Other Information
Health Risks:
This mineral is known to be a respirable carcinogen, and is the most common form of asbestos. Exposure to very dusty air or long-term exposure to low level airborne dusts containing fine fibres of chrysotile has been found to cause a high risk of serious lung disease including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Care should be taken working with samples that contain fibrous forms of this mineral, to avoid creating or inhaling dusts. Non-fibrous forms, such as in many serpentinites, are safer to handle, but can still produce potentially carcinogenic respirable fibre when crushed. Appropriate dust masks should be worn if working in areas which have dusts likely to be rich in this mineral. Storage and careful handling of specimens has little or no risk.
Internet Links for Chrysotile
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-975.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Chrysotile
Localities for Chrysotile
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
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Teliatko serpentinite body, Dobšiná, Rožňava District, Košice Region, Slovakia