Tremolite: The amphibole mineral Tremolite information and pictures

About

Tremolite and Actinolite are two very similar minerals that form a series with each other and essentially share the same chemical formula. Tremolite has a greater presence of magnesium over iron, whereas Actinolite has a greater presence of iron over magnesium.

Tremolite and Actinolite share several recognized varieties. Mountain Leather, a thickly fibrous and leathery variety, has a silky luster, a soft felt-like feel, and elastic fibers. Nephrite, another fibrous variety, is made up of tough, interlocking fibers, so dense that the fibers are not discernible.

Actinolite and Tremolite both contain a form of asbestos which is made of movable and elastic fibers. Actinolite asbestos is less common; most forms are in fact Tremolite. This form of the mineral contains significant health hazards and should never be brought near the mouth. If its fibers or particles enter the lungs, they can cause asbestosis. Asbestosis is a lung disease caused by inhalation of asbestos particles, which causes several cancers, particularly lung cancer and mesothelioma. Symptoms of asbestosis do not arise until about 20 years after the inhalation. Due to the hazards, washing hands after handling specimens is highly recommended. Many mineral collectors avoid collecting asbestos minerals out of safety concerns.

Crystal Forms & Aggregates

As elongated prismatic crystals, in bladed groups, columnar, fibrous, reticulated and acicular. Also occurs radiating, as wheat sheaf formations, as thin hairlike masses, and as tough interlocking fibers which may appear massive.

Other ID Marks

Often fluorescent, usually white to yellow.

Complex Tests

Insoluble in acid

Striking Features

Crystal habit and cleavage angle of amphiboles.

Environment

In contact metamorphic rocks in hornfels and skarns, and Serpentine deposits. Commonly in marble of metamorphasized Calcite and Dolomite, and also as a secondary mineral in igneous basalt and diabase.

Varieties

✓ common · ✗ uncommon

Amianthus— Old name applied to any fibrous asbestos mineral of the amphibole group, specifically Tremolite and Actinolite.
Asbestos— Asbestos describes any mineral that is extremely fibrous and flexible. The term is very commonly used to describe the fibrous form of Chrysotile Serpentine, and may also be used in regards to the fibrous variety of Tremolite or Actinolite.
Byssolite— Actinolite or Tremolite composed of tiny, interwoven, fibrous crystals that forms a tough, hairlike mass.
Chrome-tremolite— Tremolite rich in the element chromium, giving it an emerald-green color.
Hexagonite— Pink to purple variety of Tremolite found primarily in St. Lawrence Co., New York.
Mountain Leather— Name applied to fibrous minerals of the amphibole group (such as Tremolite or Actinolite) composed of a matlike felt of fibers that is leathery in books texture and feel.
Nephrite— Variety of Actinolite (or sometimes Tremolite) that is made up of tough, hard, interwoven fibers that are extremely dense.
Asbestos Amphibole— Describes any finely fibrous mineral of the amphibole group, especially Tremolite and Actinolite.
Tirodite— Tremolite with inclusions of manganese oxide dendrites.

Uses

The finely fibrous variety of Tremolite is used for industrial asbestos. Although fibrous Serpentine is the main source of asbestos, Tremolite and Actinolite are also asbestos producers. Because it is not affected by fire and is a poor heat conductor, asbestos is used in fire retardant devices and for heat protection.

The variety Nephrite is used as the gemstone Jade. Although most forms of Nephrite Jade are of the Actinolite type, Tremolite may also form Jade, which is generally lighter in color than the more common Actinolite form of Jade.

Noteworthy Localities

Europe contains some very good localities for Tremolite, specifically Campolungo in Ticino, Switzerland; Saint-Marcel, in the Val D'Aosta, Italy; Alvito, Beja District, Portugal; and Storakersvatn, Rana, Norway (where it occurs as a pseudomorph after Diopside). An exceptional emerald green, chromium-rich variety comes from the Merelani Hills in Arusha, Tanzania.

Important Canadian occurrences in Ontario are at Wilberforce, Tory Hill, and Dancey Farm, both in Haliburton Co.; and the Bancroft District, Hastings Co.

In the U.S., the lilac Hexagonite variety is well-known at Balmat, Fowler, Edwards, and Richville, all in St. Lawrence Co., New York. Excellent green Tremolite comes from West Pierrepont, St. Lawrence Co., New York. Very good Tremolite crystals also come from nearby Diana, Lewis Co., New York. Radiating sprays come from Canaan, Litchfield Co., Connecticut; and a fibrous form from Ashland, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts. Tremolite crystal masses have come from Franklin and Sparta, Sussex Co., New Jersey.

Common Mineral Associations

Albite, Barite, Chlorite, Epidote, Muscovite, Serpentine, Talc, Calcite

Distinguishing Similar Minerals

Tourmaline - Lacks cleavage, harder (7 - 7½).
Wollastonite - Softer (4½ - 5), different cleavage angle.
Epidote- Different cleavage angle, crystals are more glassy.
Actinolite - No distinction can be made without x-ray equipment.