Tremolite
| Colour | White, Green, Gray |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 5–6 |
| Lustre | Vitreous and silky |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Cleavage | Perfect on {110} at 56° and 124°; partings on {010} and {100} |
| Chemical formula | Ca 2 (Mg 5.0-4.5 Fe 2+ 0.0-0.5 )Si 8 O 22 (OH) 2 |
| Specific gravity | 2.99–3.03 |
What is Tremolite?
Tremolite is a member of the amphibole group of silicate minerals with composition Ca2(Mg5.0-4.5Fe2+0.0-0.5)Si8O22(OH)2. Tremolite forms by metamorphism of sediments rich in dolomite and quartz, and occurs in two distinct forms, crystals and fibers. Tremolite forms a series with actinolite and ferro-actinolite. Pure magnesium tremolite is creamy-white, but the color grades to dark green with increasing iron content. It has a hardness on Mohs scale of 5 to 6. Nephrite, one of the two minerals known as the gemstone jade, is a green crystalline variety of tremolite.
How to identify Tremolite
- Lustre: Vitreous and silky.
- Hardness: Mohs 5–6 — about as hard as a steel knife.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Monoclinic crystal system.
Tremolite in different forms
Stones often confused with Tremolite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Tremolite?
Tremolite is Mohs 5–6 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Tremolite?
Tremolite is typically white, green, gray (White, gray, lavender to pink, light green, light yellow).