IMA mineral species ⚠ Handle with care

Chrysotile

Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄

Phyllosilicate mineral.

Chrysotile specimen — Chrysotile 1.jpg · Wikimedia Commons (see file page for author & license)

Properties

Chemical formula	Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄
Elements	Mg, Si, O, H
Crystal system	Monoclinic, Orthorhombic
Mohs hardness	—
Density	2.487 g/cm³
Streak	white
Color	—
IMA symbol	Ctl
Nickel–Strunz class	9.ED.15

“—” means no reliable value in Wikidata yet. Check Mindat for full data.

⚠ Handle With Care High caution

😷 Dust / fibre inhalation hazard🚫 Don't make water elixirs

Why: White asbestos, a serpentine mineral. Breathing in its fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Intact specimens are a risk only if they shed fibres.

Safe handling: Handle it as a solid specimen only. Never cut, sand, polish or grind it. If you must clean it, do so wet, wear a P100 / FFP3 mask and gloves, and keep it away from children and pets. Keep it sealed in a closed, labelled box.

Sources: Wikipedia: Chrysotile · ATSDR ToxFAQs: Asbestos · USGS: Asbestos & other natural mineral fibres. General safety information only, not medical advice. More on safe handling.

Learn more

Chrysotile on Mindat.org
Wikipedia article
Wikidata item Q118781 (source of this page's data – you can correct it there)