Asbestos
Trade name
Asbestos is the industrial name for fibrous silicate minerals. The name spans several distinct mineral species.
Photos
About Chrysotile (major)
Full reference data — crystallography, X-ray diffraction, and cited physical properties — is on the Chrysotile species page.
| Formula | Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 |
|---|---|
| Density (calculated) | 2.514 |
| Crystal system | monoclinic |
| Streak | white |
About Riebeckite (major)
Full reference data — crystallography, X-ray diffraction, and cited physical properties — is on the Riebeckite species page.
| Formula | ܆Na2(Fe2+3Fe3+2)Si8O22(OH)2 |
|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs) | 6 |
| Specific gravity | 3.433-5 |
| Color range | black |
| Luster | vitreous |
About Tremolite (minor)
Full reference data — crystallography, X-ray diffraction, and cited physical properties — is on the Tremolite species page.
| Formula | ܆Ca2(Mg5.0-4.5Fe2+0.0-0.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
|---|---|
| Density (calculated) | 2.987 |
| Crystal system | monoclinic |
| Streak | white |
About Actinolite (minor)
Full reference data — crystallography, X-ray diffraction, and cited physical properties — is on the Actinolite species page.
| Formula | ܆Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe2+0.5-2.5)Si8O22(OH)2 |
|---|---|
| Density (calculated) | 3.117 |
| Crystal system | monoclinic |
| Streak | white |
About Anthophyllite (minor)
Full reference data — crystallography, X-ray diffraction, and cited physical properties — is on the Anthophyllite species page.
| Formula | ܆Mg2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2 |
|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs) | 5.5-6 |
| Specific gravity | 3.1-3.5 |
| Density (calculated) | 2.968 |
| Crystal system | orthorhombic |
| Color range | brown, gray, green, yellow |
| Luster | pearly, vitreous |
| Streak | gray, red |