Global InformationBalangeroite information
| Balangeroite | |
|---|---|
 Balangeroite | |
| General | |
| Category | Inosilicate |
| Formula (repeating unit) | (Mg,Fe,Fe,Mn)42Si16O54(OH)40 |
| IMA symbol | Bal[1] |
| Strunz classification | 9.DH.35 |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P2/n |
| Unit cell | a = 19.4 Å, b = 9.65 Å, c = 19.4 Å; β = 91.1°; Z = 2 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Brown |
| Crystal habit | Fibrous |
| Cleavage | Very good in two directions |
| Tenacity | Brittle |
| Luster | Vitreous to greasy |
| Streak | Brownish white |
| Diaphaneity | Subtranslucent to opaque; transparent in thin section |
| Specific gravity | 2.96 - 3.10 |
| Optical properties | Biaxial - |
| Refractive index | nα = 1.680 nγ = 1.680 |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.000 |
| Pleochroism | Dark brown and yellow brown parallel and perpendicular to [001] |
| References | [2][3][4] |
Balangeroite is found in one of the most important chrysotile mines in Europe, the Balangero Serpentinite. Hence, it is usually mistaken as an asbestiform in an assemblage of other mineral phases like chrysotile, magnetite and Fe-Ni alloys. However, Balangeroite does not lead to serious health problems caused by asbestos fibers.
- ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
- ^ Mindat.org
- ^ Webmineral.com
- ^ Handbook of Mineralogy