Actinolite | |
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General | |
Category | Inosilicates |
Formula (repeating unit) | Ca2(Mg4.5-2.5Fe2+0.5-2.5) Si8O22(OH)2 |
IMA symbol | Act[1] |
Strunz classification | 9.DE.10 |
Crystal system | Monoclinic |
Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
Space group | C2/m |
Identification | |
Color | pale to dark green, yellowish green, blue and black. White or grey when in asbestos |
Crystal habit | bladed, fibrous, radial |
Twinning | simple or lamellar |
Cleavage | perfect along {110}. |
Fracture | uneven |
Mohs scale hardness | 5–6 |
Luster | vitreous to dull |
Streak | white |
Diaphaneity | translucent to transparent |
Specific gravity | 3.00 (+0.10, -0.05) |
Polish luster | vitreous |
Optical properties | Biaxial (−) |
Refractive index | nα = 1.613–1.628 nβ = 1.627–1.644 nγ = 1.638–1.655 |
Birefringence | 0.0250–0.0270 |
Pleochroism | moderate, yellow to dark green (in stones that are transparent) |
2V angle | 78–82° (calc), 84–73° (meas) |
Dispersion | r < v |
Ultraviolet fluorescence | inert |
Absorption spectra | faint line at 503 nm |
References | [2][3][4][5][6] |
Actinolite is an amphibole silicate mineral with the chemical formula Ca2(Mg4.5–2.5Fe2+0.5–2.5)Si8O22(OH)2.