AllMineralsRock
Actinolite Vs. Tremolite
Actinolite is a popular mineral composed of calcium magnesium iron silicate.[1] Tremolite is also a popular mineral and its chemical composition is also calcium magnesium iron silicate.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Actinolite and Tremolite
For a quick recap of the differences actinolite and tremolite:- While both actinolite and tremolite can be translucent or transparent, tremolite can be opaque.
- While both actinolite and tremolite can be silky or vitreous, in terms of luster, actinolite can be dull.
- While both actinolite and tremolite can be commonly green, tremolite is often gray.
- Actinolite's specific gravity is higher than tremolite - actinolite ranges from 3.03 to 3.05 and tremolite ranges from 2.9 to 2.98.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Actinolite and Tremolite
The similarities of actinolite and tremolite include:- In terms of crystallography, actinolite and tremolite both are monoclinic.
- For chemical formulas, actinolite and tremolite both can be Ca2(Mg or Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2.
- Actinolite and tremolite both streak colorless.
- Actinolite's rarity is similar to tremolite.
- Actinolite's hardness overlaps with tremolite - actinolite is 5.5 and tremolite ranges from 5 to 6 on the Moh's scale.
Summary of Actinolite
Actinolite is a mineral that belongs to the amphibole group. It is a fibrous and silicate mineral that is typically green, yellow-green, gray-green, or black-green in color. Actinolite is a relatively common mineral and can be found in various geological formations such as metamorphic and igneous rocks. It is often found in association with other minerals such as chlorite, epidote, and quartz.Summary of Tremolite
Tremolite is a mineral that belongs to the amphibole group and is a calcium magnesium silicate. It is a fibrous mineral that is often found in metamorphic rocks such as marble and schist. It is usually colorless or pale green, but it can also be brown, yellow, or gray. Tremolite is known for its distinctive fibrous structure, which makes it easy to identify.Table Comparison of Actinolite vs Tremolite
| Actinolite (src) | Tremolite (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent | transparent, translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2 | Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2 |
| Chemical Composition | calcium magnesium iron silicate | calcium magnesium iron silicate |
| Specific Gravity | 3.03, 3.05, 3.07, 3.44 | 2.9, 2.98, 2.98, 3.03, 3.2 |
| Hardness | 5.5 | 5, 6 |
| Streak | colorless | colorless |
| Crystallography | monoclinic | monoclinic |
| Refractive Index | 1.619, 1.644 | 1.56, 1.643 |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: green sometimes: black less common: pale, white, gray, yellow |
common: green, gray sometimes: yellow, colorless less common: pale, pink, black, brown, white, purple, lavender |
| Category | inosilicate | inosilicate |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.0250-0.0270 | δ = 0.026 |
| Fracture | splintery, uneven | splintery, uneven |