Crisotilo
Crisotilo is a mineral with formula (Mg,Fe)₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄, in the Silicato [Filosilicato (Grupo serpentina)] group. This specimen comes from Canteras del Americano (Can Sala), Montseny, Gualba, Barcelona, Catalunya, España.
Description
Like a mountainous landscape. Soft green laminae and fibres. Silky to the touch. Fibrous aspect in multiple bands.
About Crisotilo
Today, finding pieces of this quality in Spain is difficult. The use of this material fell sharply after the serious health risks associated with the inhalation of its fibres were confirmed, leaving far behind its production peak in 1977, when some 4–5 million tonnes per year were generated. In the past, however, its use was widespread as acoustic, electrical and thermal insulation, and it was even used to make fabrics. Anecdotally, Benjamin Franklin brought back a purse made by Native Americans, and Napoleon III entertained his guests by cleaning a tablecloth simply by throwing it into the fire. It is precisely from this ""incombustible"" quality that the name asbestos derives (from the Greek asbestos), also called ""amianto"", a term that groups several fibrous minerals of different composition. One of its principal varieties is chrysotile (or white asbestos), a serpentine phyllosilicate characterised by forming very fine and flexible fibres with a striking silky lustre
About the locality
A locality long known for yielding interesting minerals. Chrysotile occurs as fibrous fillings within microfractures of already serpentinised rocks. As the quarry operates for industrial purposes, material for collectors appears irregularly and often comes from old material, so a clean and good-looking piece like this is hard to repeat today.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0366
- Composition
- (Mg,Fe)₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄
- Name
- Crisotilo
- Group
- Silicato [Filosilicato (Grupo serpentina)]
- Category
- Meritum Persé
- Matrix
- Serpentinita
- Mine
- Canteras del Americano (Can Sala)
- District / Municipality
- Montseny, Gualba
- Province
- Barcelona
- Region
- Catalunya
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 7 x 4.5
- Weight
- 72 g
- Etymology
- From the combination of two Greek words: "chrysos" (χρυσός), meaning "gold", and "tilos" (τίλος), meaning "fibre". The name "gold fibre" describes its golden lustre and fibrous habit.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Aerenita — España
- Aerinita (fibrosa) — España
- Analcima — España
- Analcima — España