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 and joined the Terrium collection in 1992.
Description
Relief reminiscent of a mountainous landscape. Soft green laminae and fibres with a silky feel. Shows a fibrous aspect in multiple bands.
About Crisotilo
Chrysotile (white asbestos) is a serpentine mineral, a phyllosilicate that forms very fine, flexible fibres with a silky lustre, and is one of the principal varieties of asbestos (from Greek ásbestos, "incombustible"), also called "amianto", a term that groups several fibrous minerals of different composition. Asbestos was used as a thermal, electrical and acoustic insulator, and even to make fabrics: Napoleon III had a tablecloth he cleaned by throwing it into the fire for the amusement of his guests, and Benjamin Franklin brought back a purse from Native Americans. In 1977 it reached its production peak, at c. 4–5 million tonnes per year. From then on its use fell sharply as the serious health risks from inhalation of its fibres were confirmed. Today, finding pieces of this quality in Spain is difficult.
About the locality
Locality known for yielding interesting minerals for years. Chrysotile occurs as a fibrous filling within microfractures of already serpentinised rocks. As the quarry operates for industrial purposes, collector material appears irregularly and often comes from old material, so a clean, attractive piece like this is difficult to repeat today.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0368
- 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 3
- Weight
- 54 g
- Acquired
- 1992
- Ex-collection
- Manuel Melgarejo Draper
- Etymology
- It comes 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
- Muy buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Aerenita — España
- Aerinita (fibrosa) — España
- Analcima — España
- Analcima — España