Actinolite In Talc - Mineralogy

Actinolite is a ferromagnesian silicate mineral species belonging to the calcium amphibole group. It was first described by the mineralogist Kirwan in 1794 under the name actynolite. Its name comes from the Greek words aktis, meaning ray, and lithos, meaning stone, referring to the fibrous, radial habit of its crystals. The term actinolite, with the same etymology, was coined by René Just Haüy. The iron content of actinolites gives them a green color with a vitreous luster. Consequently, its color is most often bottle green, with shades ranging from light green (low iron content) to dark green (high iron content). It has an average hardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale and can only be scratched with a penknife blade. Its weight, which is rather heavy, also depends on the iron content.