Actinolite

By admin | No Comments

Refractive Index : 1.655 – 1.602

Optical Characteristic : DR B- , AGG

Specific Gravity : 3.00 (+0.34)

Formula : Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2

Crystal System : Monoclinic

Variety/Species : Actinolite

Species/Group : Amphibole Group

Birefringence : 0.022 to 0.027

Dispersion : None

Hardness : 5 to 6

Toughness : Excellent

Ultrasonic : Usually Safe

Steam : Usually Safe

UV Long : Inert

UV Short : Inert

Pleochroism : 2 Colors

Strength : Moderate

Pleochroism Colors : Moderate: Yellow/ dark green.

Heat : Sensitive to high heat

Acids : No reaction

Light : Stable

Polish Luster : Vitreous to dull

Fracture : Uneven

Fracture Luster : Vitreous, sometimes dull

Clarity Type : N/A

Tones : N/A

Saturations : N/A

Cause of Color : Iron

Enhancements : None

Cleavage : Good 2 directions. Often fibrous in nature.

Color Range : Light to dark green, yellowish green, black, greenish Blackish green

Transparency : Transparent to opaque

Phenomena : Chatoyancy, cat’s eye

Separations : Actinolite from-
Apatite: SG (possibly), optic characterPeridot: SG, dispersion, appearance(possibly)

Identifying Characteristics and information
Actinolite is the middle member of a series that includes Termolite(more magnesium)and Ferroactinolite (more iron).The fibrous variety of the Actinolite-Tremolite series is the main constituent of Nephrite jade.Transparent material is very rare.
Cut for collectors.

Spectral Data
Line at 5030 (faint).

Trade Names and Misnomers
Actinolite
Byssolite
Cat’s Eye Actinolite (S)
Uralite

Tags: actinolite, byssolite, cats eye actinolite, uralite