Crocidolite
☠️ Don't Wear / Don't Make Elixirs🪶 Soft, Scratches Easily
Fibrous variety of riebeckite root name mineral group.
Variety of Riebeckite, Magnesio-riebeckite.
Properties
A steel knife scratches it, it won't scratch glass.
| Chemical formula | — |
|---|---|
| Elements | — |
| Crystal system | — |
| Mohs hardness | 4 |
| Density | 3.2 – 3.3 g/cm³ |
| Streak | — |
| Color | — |
“—” means no reliable value in Wikidata yet. Check Mindat for full data.
Care & Handling
- ☠️ Don't Wear / Don't Make Elixirs Blue asbestos, the fibrous form of riebeckite, and one of the most hazardous asbestos types. Tiger's eye forms when quartz replaces or encloses crocidolite fibres. Polished tiger's eye is considered safe because the fibres are locked in quartz, but don't cut or grind it.
- 🪶 Soft, Scratches Easily Mohs 4: softer than a steel knife, so it scratches easily. Store it apart from harder stones.
This stone is in the Handle With Care collection; see the safety section below.
⚠ Handle With Care High caution
Why: Blue asbestos, the fibrous form of riebeckite, and one of the most hazardous asbestos types. Tiger's eye forms when quartz replaces or encloses crocidolite fibres. Polished tiger's eye is considered safe because the fibres are locked in quartz, but don't cut or grind it.
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.
Sources: Wikipedia: Riebeckite · Wikipedia: Tiger's eye · ATSDR ToxFAQs: Asbestos · USGS: Asbestos & other natural mineral fibres. General safety information only, not medical advice. More on safe handling.
Learn more
- Crocidolite on Mindat.org
- Wikidata item Q2463942 (source of this page's data – you can correct it there)