- Tremolite
Tremolite is a member of the
amphibole group ofsilicate minerals with composition: Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2. Tremolite forms bymetamorphism of sediments rich indolomite andquartz . Tremolite forms a series withactinolite andferro-actinolite . Puremagnesium tremolite is creamy white, but the color grades to dark green with increasingiron content. It has a hardness on Mohs' scale of 5 to 6.A fibrous variety of tremolite is used as
asbestos . This material is toxic and inhaling the fibers can lead toasbestosis ,lung cancer andmesothelioma . One of the two minerals of thegemstone jade isnephrite , a green variety of tremolite.Tremolite is an indicator of metamorphic grade since at high temperatures it converts to
diopside .Calcite ,grossular ,talc , andserpentine are common associates of tremolite.References
* [http://webmineral.com/data/Tremolite.shtml Webmineral]
* [http://www.mindat.org/min-4011.html Mindat]
* [http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/tremolit/tremolit.htm Mineral galleries]
* [http://space.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn12769&feedId=online-news_rss20 Mineral may unlock secrets of Venus's ancient oceans] , New Scientist, "10 October 2007"ee also
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Libby, Montana
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