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Actinolite

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Actinolite

Malenco Valley, Valtellina, Sondrio Province, Lombardy, Italy
Actinolite

Dorferbach valley, Prägraten, Virgen valley, East Tyrol, Tyrol, Austria
Actinolite, etc.

Wenatchee Ridge, Lake Wenatchee, Chelan Co., Washington, USA
Actinolite

Malenco Valley, Valtellina, Sondrio Province, Lombardy, Italy
Actinolite

Dorferbach valley, Prägraten, Virgen valley, East Tyrol, Tyrol, Austria
Actinolite, etc.

Wenatchee Ridge, Lake Wenatchee, Chelan Co., Washington, USA
Actinolite

Malenco Valley, Valtellina, Sondrio Province, Lombardy, Italy
Actinolite

Dorferbach valley, Prägraten, Virgen valley, East Tyrol, Tyrol, Austria
Formula:
☐{Ca2}{Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
Colour:
Green, green-black, grey-green, or black
Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Hardness:
5 - 6
Specific Gravity:
3.03 - 3.24
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named in 1794 by Richard Kirwan from the Greek ακτίνα ("aktina") for "ray" and λίθος ("lithos") for "stone" in allusion to the fibrous nature of the original specimens.
Type locality not known.
Note: Tremolite is defined as having an Mg/(Mg+Fe2+) ratio ≥ 0.9; actinolite has a ratio of 0.5–0.9 and ferro-actinolite has a ratio of less than 0.5. The name actinolite was retained in the nomenclature, since it is entrenched in the literature.

As bladed crystals, to 15 cm; columnar, may be kinked or bent; radiating fibrous to asbestiform; granular to massive.

Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Actinolite.


Classification of Actinolite

IMA status:
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Notes:
Redefined by the IMA
First Published:
1794
Approval History:
Redefined by IMA in 2012 (special procedure).
Strunz 8th ed.:
8/F.10-20
Strunz 9th ed.:
9.DE.10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) ed.:
9.DE.10

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
E : Inosilicates with 2-periodic double chains, Si4O11; Clinoamphiboles
Hey's CIM Ref.:
14.23.2

14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
23 : Silicates of Fe, Mg, Ca

Physical Properties of Actinolite

Lustre:
Vitreous, Silky
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Green, green-black, grey-green, or black
Comment:
Colourless, pale green to deep green in thin section.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
5 - 6 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
on {110}
Parting:
on {100}
Fracture:
Splintery
Density:
3.03 - 3.24 g/cm3 (Measured)    3.07 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of Actinolite

Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.613 - 1.646 nβ = 1.624 - 1.656 nγ = 1.636 - 1.666
2V:
Measured: 79° to 86°, Calculated: 78° to 82°
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.023
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r < v
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
X= pale yellow, yellowish green
Y= pale yellow-gree, green
Z= pale green, deep greenish blue

Chemical Properties of Actinolite

Formula:
☐{Ca2}{Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
IMA Formula:
Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe2+0.5-2.5)Σ=5Si8O22(OH)2
Idealised Formula:
☐{Ca2}{(Mg,Fe2+)5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
Elements listed:
Ca, Fe, H, Mg, O, Si - search for minerals with similar chemistry
Common Impurities:
Mn,Al,Na,K,Ti

Crystallography of Actinolite

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
B2/m
Setting:
C2/m
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.891 Å, b = 18.2 Å, c = 5.31 Å
β = 104.64°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.543 : 1 : 0.292
Unit Cell V:
924.85 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Twinning:
simple or lamellar, common parallel {100}; lamellar, less common parallel {001}

X-Ray Powder Diffraction

Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
8.47 (70)
5.305 (10)
4.91 (70)
3.401 (80)
3.143 (70)
2.719 (100)
2.543 (100)
Comments:
ICDD 25-0157

Synonyms of Actinolite

Actinolithe

Actynolite

Attinoto

Stibolite

Stralite

Zillerthite

Zillertite

Other Language Names for Actinolite

Basque:Aktinolita
Czech:Aktinolit
Finnish:Aktinoliitti
French:Actinote
Hungarian:Aktinolit
Japanese:緑閃石
Latvian:Aktinolīts
Low Saxon:Aktinolith
Polish:Aktynolit
Portuguese:Actinolita
Serbian (Cyrillic Script):Актинолит
Simplified Chinese:阳起石
Slovak:Aktinolit
Swedish:Aktinolit

Varieties of Actinolite

Smaragdite

An emerald green variety of actinolite, owing its colour to a faint chromium content.

Relationship of Actinolite to other Species

Member of:
Tremolite-actinolite Series Group > Calcium Amphibole Subgroup > w(OH, F, Cl)-dominant Amphibole Group
Other Members of this group:
Ferro-actinolite☐{Ca2}{Fe2+5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
Ferro-fluoro-actinolite☐{Ca2}{Fe5}(Si8O22)F2
Fluoro-tremolite☐{Ca2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)F2
Tremolite☐{Ca2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
Forms a series with:
TremoliteActinolite-Tremolite Series
Ferro-actinoliteActinolite-Ferro-actinolite Series

Common Associates

AlbiteNa(AlSi3O8)
Chlorite GroupA group of mostly monoclinic (also triclinic or orthorhombic) micaceous phyllosilicate minerals with a structure ...
Epidote{Ca2}{Al2Fe3+}(Si2O7)(SiO4)O(OH)
Glaucophane◻[Na2][Mg3Al2]Si8O22(OH)2
LawsoniteCaAl2(Si2O7)(OH)2 · H2O
PumpellyiteSynonymous with members of the Pumpellyite Group (which includes also 'julgoldite').
TalcMg3Si4O10(OH)2
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Quartz164 photos of Actinolite associated with Quartz on mindat.org.
Calcite132 photos of Actinolite associated with Calcite on mindat.org.
Epidote96 photos of Actinolite associated with Epidote on mindat.org.
Titanite46 photos of Actinolite associated with Titanite on mindat.org.
Magnetite38 photos of Actinolite associated with Magnetite on mindat.org.
Talc38 photos of Actinolite associated with Talc on mindat.org.
Oligoclase38 photos of Actinolite associated with Oligoclase on mindat.org.
Axinite-(Fe)37 photos of Actinolite associated with Axinite-(Fe) on mindat.org.
Prehnite37 photos of Actinolite associated with Prehnite on mindat.org.
Dyscrasite36 photos of Actinolite associated with Dyscrasite on mindat.org.

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping

9.DE.05Anthophyllite☐{Mg2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.05Cummingtonite☐{Mg2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.05Clino-holmquistite Root Name☐{Li2}{Z2+3Z3+2}(Si8O22)(OH,F,Cl)2
9.DE.05Grunerite☐{Fe2+2}{Fe2+5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.05Manganocummingtonite☐{Mn2+2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.05Manganogrunerite☐{Mn2+2}{Fe2+5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.05Permanganogrunerite☐{Mn2+2}{Mn2+5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.05Ferro-fluoro-pedrizite{Na}{Li2}{Fe2Al2Li}(Al2Si6O22)F2
9.DE.05Ferri-fluoro-leakeite{Na}{Na2}{Mg2Fe3+2Li}(Si8O22)F2
9.DE.10Ferri-tschermakite☐{Ca2}{Mg3Fe3+2}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.10Ferro-actinolite☐{Ca2}{Fe2+5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.10Ferro-hornblende☐{Ca2}{Fe2+4Al}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
9.DE.10Ferro-tschermakite☐{Ca2}{Fe2+3Al2}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.10Joesmithite{Pb}{Ca2}{Mg3Fe3+2}(Be2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.10Magnesio-hornblende☐{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
9.DE.10Tremolite☐{Ca2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.10Tschermakite☐(Ca2)(Mg3Al2)(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.10CannilloiteCa(Ca2)(Mg4Al)(Al3Si5O22)(OH)2
9.DE.10Fluoro-cannilloite{Ca}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al3Si5O22)(F,OH)2
9.DE.10Parvo-manganotremolite☐{CaMn2+}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.10Fluoro-tremolite☐{Ca2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)F2
9.DE.10Potassic-fluoro-pargasite{K}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al2Si6O22)F2
9.DE.15Edenite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg5}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
9.DE.15Ferro-edenite{Na}{Ca2}{Fe2+5}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
9.DE.15Ferro-kaersutite{Na}{Ca2}{Fe2+3AlTi}(Al2Si6O22)O2
9.DE.15Ferro-pargasite{Na}{Ca2}{Fe2+4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.15Hastingsite{Na}{Ca2}{Fe2+4Fe3+}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.15Kaersutite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg3AlTi}(Al2Si6O22)O2
9.DE.15Magnesio-hastingsite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg4Fe3+}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.15Pargasite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.15Sadanagaite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg3Al2}(Si5Al3O22)(OH)2
9.DE.15Fluoro-edenite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg5}(AlSi7O22)(F,OH)2
9.DE.15Potassic-ferro-ferri-sadanagaite{K}{Ca2}{Fe2+3Fe3+2}(Al3Si5O22)(OH)2
9.DE.15Potassic-sadanagaite{K}{Ca2}{Mg3Al2}(Al3Si5O22)(OH)2
9.DE.15Potassic-pargasite{K}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.15Potassic-ferro-sadanagaite{K}{Ca2}{Fe2+3Al2}(Al3Si5O22)(OH)2
9.DE.15Magnesio-fluoro-hastingsite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg4Fe3+}(Al2Si6O22)F2
9.DE.15Potassic-fluoro-hastingsite{K}{Ca2}{Fe2+4Fe3+}(Al2Si6O22)(F,OH)2
9.DE.15Potassic-chloro-hastingsite{K}{Ca2}{Fe2+4Fe3+}(Al2Si6O22)(Cl,OH)2
9.DE.15Fluoro-pargasite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(F,OH)2
9.DE.15Parvo-mangano-edenite{Na}{CaMn2+}{Mg5}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
9.DE.15Potassic-chloro-pargasite{K}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(Cl,OH)2
9.DE.15Potassic-ferro-chloro-edenite{K}{Ca2}{Fe2+5}(AlSi7O22)(Cl,OH)2
9.DE.15Potassic-magnesio-hastingsite{K}{Ca2}{Mg4Fe3+}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.15Potassic-ferro-pargasite{K}{Ca2}{Fe2+4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.15Chromio-pargasite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg4Cr3+}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.20Ferro-taramiteNa(CaNa)(Fe2+3Al2)(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.20Barroisite☐{CaNa}{Mg3Al2}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
9.DE.20Ferro-ferri-barroisite☐(CaNa)(Fe2+3Fe3+2)(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
9.DE.20Ferro-ferri-winchite☐[CaNa][Fe2+4(Fe3+,Al)]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.20Ferri-barroisite☐(CaNa)(Mg3Fe3+2)(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
9.DE.20Ferro-ferri-taramiteNa(CaNa)(Fe2+3Fe3+2)(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.20Ferro-ferri-katophoriteNa(NaCa)(Fe2+4Fe3+)(Si7Al)O22(OH)2
9.DE.20Ferro-barroisite☐{CaNa}{Fe2+3Al2}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
9.DE.20Ferro-richterite{Na}{CaNa}{Fe2+5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.20Ferro-winchite ☐{CaNa}{Fe2+4Al}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.20Ferro-katophorite{Na}{CaNa}{Fe2+4Al}[(AlSi7)O22](OH)2
9.DE.20Ferri-taramiteNa(CaNa)(Mg3Fe3+2)(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.20Magnesiotaramite{Na}{CaNa}{Mg3AlFe3+}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.20Richterite{Na}{NaCa}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.20Winchite☐{CaNa}{Mg4Al}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.20Taramite{Na}{CaNa}{Mg3Al2}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
9.DE.20Fluoro-richterite{Na}{CaNa}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(F,OH)2
9.DE.20Katophorite{Na}{CaNa}{Mg4Al}[(AlSi7)O22](OH)2
9.DE.20Potassic-fluoro-richterite{K}{CaNa}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(F,OH)2
9.DE.20Potassic-richteriteK[CaNa][Mg5]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.20Ferri-ghoseite☐[Mn2+Na][Mg4Fe3+]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.20Ferri-winchite☐[CaNa][Mg4(Fe3+,Al)]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.20Fluoro-taramite{Na}{CaNa}{Mg3Al2}(Al2Si6O22)F2
9.DE.25Arfvedsonite[Na][Na2][Fe2+4Fe3+]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25EckermanniteNaNa2(Mg4Al}Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25Ferro-eckermanniteNaNa2(Fe2+4Al)Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25Ferro-glaucophane◻[Na2][Fe2+3Al2]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25Glaucophane◻[Na2][Mg3Al2]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25Potassic-mangani-leakeite[(Na,K)][Na2][Mg2Mn3+2Li]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25Mangano-ferri-eckermannite[Na][Na2][Mn2+4(Fe3+)]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25Ferri-leakeite[Na][Na2][Mg2Fe3+2Li]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25Magnesio-riebeckite◻{Na2}{Mg3Fe3+2}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.25Magnesio-arfvedsonite{Na}{Na2}{Mg4Fe3+}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.25NybøiteNaNa2(Mg3Al2)(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
9.DE.25Riebeckite◻[Na2][Fe2+3Fe3+2]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25Mangano-mangani-ungarettiiteNaNa2(Mn2+2Mn3+3)(Si8O22)O2
9.DE.25Ferro-ferri-nybøiteNaNa2[(Fe2+3,Mg)Fe3+2](AlSi7O22)(OH)2
9.DE.25Clino-ferro-ferri-holmquistite◻{Li2}{Fe2+3Fe3+2}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.25Ferri-nybøiteNaNa2(Mg3Fe3+2](AlSi7O22)(OH)2
9.DE.25Ferro-ferri-leakeite[Na][Na2][Fe2+2Fe3+2Li]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25Ferro-ferri-fluoro-leakeiteNa(Na2)(Fe2+2Fe3+2Li)(Si8O22)(F)2
9.DE.25Sodic-ferri-clinoferroholmquistiteNa0.5{Li2}{Fe2+3Fe3+2}(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.25Magnesio-fluoro-arfvedsonite[Na][Na2][Mg4Fe3+][Si8O22](F,OH)2
9.DE.25Ferri-pedrizite[Na][Li2][Mg2Fe3+2Li]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25Potassic-ferri-leakeite[K][Na2][Mg2Fe3+2Li]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25Fluoro-nybøiteNaNa2(Mg3Al2)(AlSi7O22)(F,OH)2
9.DE.25Mangani-dellaventuraite{Na}{Na2}{MgMn3+2LiTi4+}Si8O22O2
9.DE.25Fluoro-pedriziteNaLi2(Mg2Al2Li)(Si8O22)F2
9.DE.25Potassic-arfvedsonite[(K,Na)][Na2][Fe2+4Fe3+]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25Mangani-obertiiteNa(Na2)(Mg3Mn3+Ti)(Si8O22)O2
9.DE.25Potassic-magnesio-fluoro-arfvedsonite[(K,Na)][Na2][Mg4Fe3+][Si8O22][(F,OH)2]
9.DE.25Ferro-ferri-pedrizite[Na][Li2][Fe2+2Fe3+2Li]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25Potassic-magnesio-arfvedsonite[K][Na2][Mg4Fe3+]Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25PedriziteNaLi2(LiMg2Al2)(Si8O22)(OH)2
9.DE.25Ferro-pedriziteNaLi2(Fe2+2Al2Li)Si8O22(OH)2
9.DE.25Fluoro-leakeiteNaNa2(Mg2Al2Li)(Si8O22)F2
9.DE.25Ferro-ferri-obertiiteNaNa2(Fe2+3Fe3+Ti)Si8O22O2

Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping

14.23.1Pigeonite(CaxMgyFez)(Mgy1Fez1)Si2O6

Other Information

Health Risks:
Dust from asbestiform varieties of actinolite can cause serious and irreversible lung disease when inhaled. Avoid creating or inhaling dust.

Actinolite in petrology

An essential component of (items highlighted in red)
Common component of (items highlighted in red)
Accessory component of (items highlighted in red)

References for Actinolite

Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Kirwan, R. (1794) 16th species: actynolite. in Elements of Mineralogy, 2nd Edition, Volume 1, Elmsly (London) 167-170.
Hawthorne, F.C. (1983) The crystal chemistry of the amphiboles; Introduction. The Canadian Mineralogist: 21: 174.
Hawthorne, F.C. (1983) The crystal chemistry of the amphiboles; Classification and nomenclature. The Canadian Mineralogist: 21: 175-176.
Mandarino, J.A. (1998) The Second List of Additions and Corrections to the Glossary of Mineral Species (1995). The Amphibole Group. Mineralogical Record: 29: 169-174.
Hawthorne, F.C., Oberti, R. (2006) On the classification of amphiboles. The Canadian Mineralogist: 44: 1-21.

Internet Links for Actinolite

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