Riebeckite

Riebeckite
Black riebeckite in an alkaline pegmatite from Lindinosa near Évisa, Corsica, France
General
Category	Silicate mineral
Formula (repeating unit)	Na2(Fe^2+3Fe^3+2)Si8O22(OH)2
Crystal system	Monoclinic
Crystal class	Prismatic (2/m) H-M symbol: (2/m)
Space group	Monoclinic Space group: C2/m
Unit cell	a = 9.76 Å, b = 18.04 Å c = 5.33 Å; β = 103.59°; Z = 2
Identification
Color	Black, dark blue; dark blue to yellow-green in thin section
Crystal habit	As prismatic crystals, commonly fibrous, asbestiform; earthy, massive
Twinning	Simple or multiple twinning parallel to {100}
Cleavage	Perfect on {110}, intersecting at 56° and 124°; partings on {100} and {010}
Fracture	Conchoidal to uneven
Tenacity	Brittle
Mohs scale hardness	6
Luster	Vitreous to silky
Streak	Pale to bluish gray
Diaphaneity	Semitransparent
Specific gravity	3.28–3.44
Optical properties	Biaxial (-)
Refractive index	nα = 1.680–1.698 nβ = 1.683–1.700 nγ = 1.685–1.706
Birefringence	δ = 0.005–0.008
Pleochroism	X = blue, indigo; Y = yellowish green, yellow brown; Z = dark blue
2V angle	Measured: 68° to 85°, Calculated: 62° to 78°
Dispersion	Strong
References	[1][2][3][4]

Riebeckite is a sodium-rich member of the amphibole group of silicate minerals, chemical formula Na₂(Fe²⁺₃Fe³⁺₂)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂. It forms a series with magnesioriebeckite. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system, usually as long prismatic crystals showing a diamond-shaped cross section, but also in fibrous, bladed, acicular, columnar, and radiating forms. Its Mohs hardness is 5.0–6.0, and its specific gravity is 3.0–3.4. Cleavage is perfect, two directions in the shape of a diamond; fracture is uneven, splintery. It is often translucent to nearly opaque.

Name and discovery

It was first described in 1888 for an occurrence on Socotra Island, Aden Governorate, Yemen and named for German explorer Emil Riebeck (1853–1885).^[2]

Occurrence

It typically forms dark-blue elongated to fibrous crystals in highly alkali granites, syenites, rarely in felsic volcanics, granite pegmatites and schist. It occurs in banded iron formations as the asbestiform variety crocidolite (blue asbestos). It occurs in association with aegirine, nepheline, albite, arfvedsonite in igneous rocks; with tremolite, ferro-actinolite in metamorphic rocks; and with grunerite, magnetite, hematite, stilpnomelane, ankerite, siderite, calcite, chalcedonic quartz in iron formations.^[1]

Riebeckite granite

The riebeckite granite known as ailsite, found on the island of Ailsa Craig in western Scotland, is prized for its use in the manufacture of curling stones.

Riebeckite granite was used for the facing stones of the Canton Viaduct from Moyles Quarry (a.k.a. Canton Viaduct Quarry) now part of Borderland State Park in Massachusetts, US. The commonwealth's name is even taken from an Algonquian word for the Great Blue Hill, which got its color from this form of granite.

Crocidolite (fibrous riebeckite)

Crocidolite, variety of riebeckite, from Pomfret Mine, Vryburg, South Africa

The fibrous forms of riebeckite are known as crocidolite and are one of the six recognised types of asbestos. Often referred to as blue asbestos, it is considered the most hazardous. In 1964 Dr Christopher Wagner discovered an association between blue asbestos and mesothelioma.^[5]

Crocidolite asbestos was mined in South Africa, Bolivia and also at Wittenoom, Western Australia. Bolivian crocidolite was used in Kent Micronite cigarette filters in the 1950s. Blue asbestos was also used in early gas masks. In the mid-20th century, asbestos was confirmed to be harmful, leading to the halt of production.

See also

• List of minerals
• List of minerals named after people

References

1. "Riebeckite", Handbook of Mineralogy, Mineral Data Publishing, 2001
2. "Riebeckite", Mindat.org
3. "Riebeckite", The Mineralogy Database (webmineral.com)
4. IMA Master List
5. McDonald, Corbett. Obituary: Dr Christopher Wagner, The Independent 4 July 2000

External links

•  Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Crocidolite". Encyclopædia Britannica. 7 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 477.