Chrysotile
A variety of Minerals
What is Chrysotile?
Chrysotile or white asbestos is the most commonly encountered form of asbestos, accounting for approximately 95% of the asbestos in the United States and a similar proportion in other countries. It is a soft, fibrous silicate mineral in the serpentine subgroup of phyllosilicates; as such, it is distinct from other asbestiform minerals in the amphibole group. Its idealized chemical formula is Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4. The material has physical properties which make it desirable for inclusion in building materials, but poses serious health risks when dispersed into air and inhaled.
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.530-1.575
- Birefringence
- 0.001
- Optical Character
- Biaxial positive or negative
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Chrysotile before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Chrysotile Localities Map
See where Chrysotile is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
The Meaning
In Chinese folklore, chrysotile was popularly believed not to have come from the earth, but from the plumage of a bird. Even the Indian king Dehim is said to believe that chrysotile came from the skin of an unburnable bird, and that he could make fire-proof materials from it.
Key Characteristics
Characteristics of Chrysotile
Bulk chrysotile has a hardness similar to a human fingernail and is easily crumbled to fibrous strands composed of smaller bundles of fibrils. Naturally-occurring fibre bundles range in length from several millimetres to more than ten centimetres, although industrially-processed chrysotile usually has shorter fibre bundles. The diameter of the fibre bundles is 0.1–1 µm, and the individual fibrils are even finer, 0.02–0.03 µm, each fibre bundle containing tens or hundreds of fibrils. Chrysotile fibres have considerable tensile strength, and may be spun into thread and woven into cloth. They are also resistant to heat and are excellent thermal, electrical and acoustic insulators.
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Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Green
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 2.5
- Density
- 2.53 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
- Elements
- H, Mg, O, Si
Also Known As
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Chrysotile FAQs
How do I identify Chrysotile?
Chrysotile can be identified by its hardness of 2.5 on the Mohs scale, Green color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Chrysotile?
Chrysotile typically appears in Green. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Chrysotile?
Chrysotile has a hardness of 2.5 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a soft mineral that can be scratched easily.
What is the characteristics of chrysotile of Chrysotile?
Bulk chrysotile has a hardness similar to a human fingernail and is easily crumbled to fibrous strands composed of smaller bundles of fibrils. Naturally-occurring fibre bundles range in length from several millimetres to more than ten centimetres, although industrially-processed chrysotile usually has shorter fibre bundles. The diameter of the fibre bundles is 0.1–1 µm, and the individual fibrils are even finer, 0.02–0.03 µm, each fibre bundle containing tens or hundreds of fibrils. Chrysotile fibres have considerable tensile strength, and may be spun into thread and woven into cloth. They are also resistant to heat and are excellent thermal, electrical and acoustic insulators.
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