Amphibole (Shanki)

SEMINAR
ON
AMPHIBOLE GROUP
DOUBLE
CHAIN
STRUCTURES
AMPHOBOLE
GROUP
CONTENTS
 Introduction ………………………………….(1)
 Chemistry ……………………………….....(2)
 Classification of amphiboles………………….(3)
 Structure ……………………………………..(4-5)
 Cleavage ……………………………………...(6)
 Experimental Work…………………………... (6.i)
 Anthophyllite ………………………………...(7-8)
 Cummingtonite ……………………………...(9-11)
 Grunerite………………………………….....(12-13)
 Tremolite………………………………….....(14-16)
 Actinolite …………………………………....(17-19)
 Hornblende ……………………………….....(20-22)
 Glaucophane………………………………....(23-24)
 Rebeckite……………………………………(25-26)
 Two single chains of SiO4 tetrahedra placed side by side are
linked by sharing projecting oxygen, giving the composition Si4O11.
 Minerals of amphibole have the double chain structure, with
chain ling parallel to the c-axis of crystal; eg- Tremolite.
 Amphiboles group include minerals the composition of which
is approximately the same as that of pyroxenes. But they
differ from latter in that they contain the anions of (OH)‾
as well as F‾ and more mainly calc-alkali.
Also termed as Hydrous Silicates
 They occur characteristically in the plutonic rocks.
 Amphiboles crystallize in a large variety of regionally
metamorphosed rocks formed under conditions ranging
from the Greenschist to Lower Granulite facies.
 They occur less in the environment of there seldom of Cl‾..
 Amphiboles are characterized by wide isomorphic replacements.
 This group of minerals occur in wide range of P-T environment.
 Common constituents of igneous and metamorphic.
 Among igneous group they are found in all the major group ranging
from ultra basic to acid and alkaline in thermal metamorphism.
Amphibole group: its chemistry
General formulae:
 W2-3 (X-Y) 5 Z 8 O 22 (OH,F,Cl) 2
Where,
W = large cations of Ca, Na and K
X = Mg, Fe²+, Mn, Li.
Y = Fe³+,Cr,Ti.
Z = Si, Al.
The amphibole ternary in fig. shows some of the simpler end members.
Along the base of the diagram , the figure is complicated because
Ca- free amphiboles forms two distinct series, having different atomic
structure. We call the most Mg-rich amphiboles anthophyllite or, if
they contain appreciable amount of Fe, fero-anthophyllite.We give the
name Gedrite. The cummingtonite-gunnerite series covers most
intermediate and Fe rich composition. Calc-amphibole can have any
composition between an Mg end member( tremolite ) and an Fe end
member( ferroactonalite). Misicibility gap exists between the
calcic amphiboles and the Ca-poor amphiboles, analogous to the
one between clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene.
Classification of Amphibole group
In orthorhombic Mg- Fe amphiboles:They are comparatively simple in
their composition, the cations are equally distributed in all
octahedral positions.
 ANTHOPHYLLITE – Mg7Si8O22(OH,F)2.
 GEDRITE -(Mg,Fe)5Al(Si6Al2O22)(OH,F)2
In Monoclinic amphiboles:The composition is more complex, the large ions

of Ca²+ and Na²+ occupy outer polyhedrons( coordination number 8) of
cation bands, while in those rich in alkaline, they occupy large voids with
coordination number 10.
 CUMMINGTONITE- (Mg,Fe)7Si8O22(OH)2
 GUNERITE - Fe7Si8O22(OH)2
 TREMOLITE - (Ca2,Mg5)Si8O22(OH,F)2
 ACTINOLITE - (Ca2Fe5)Si8O22(OH,F)2
 HORNBLENDE - (Ca,Mg,Na,Fe,Al)7_8 (Si,Al)8O22(OH)2
Na-amphiboles are alkali and Monoclinic

 GLAUCOPHANE - Na2Fe3Al2Si8O22(OH,F)2
 RIEBECKITE - Na2Fe2³+Fe3²+Si8O22(OH)2
AMPHIBOLE GROUP
 Essential feature of structure of amphibole group is the presence of
Si-Al atoms tetrahedral linked from chains from which double the
width of those in pyroxenes and have the composition Si4O11.
These double the chain or bands repeated along their length at interval
of approximately 5.8 Å and this define length the ‘c’ parameter of the
unit cell.
 Cations in the structure of amphibole occupy nonequivalent positions
thus forming bands, connected by common edges of polyhedrons,
elongated along the paired chains.
They are repeated and bounded
laterally by planes of cations as
shown in figure. There are five
cations, Mg, Fe² , in the sites M1
and M2 and M3 between two
inversely pointed bands of
tetrahedral. These units are linked
back to back by larger cations Ca-
Na in the sites at M4. In some
cases by additional large cations at
the site ‘A’ besides these cations
there are in addition some
hydroxyl ion(OH)‾ in the postion
X as shown in figure.
Structure of Trimolite comprised
of 4 unit cell projected on(001).
The chain of SiO tetrahedra are
shown as trapezohedral blocks in
amphiboles these blocks are parallel
to ‘b’ axis are twice as large as
those of pryroxene.
In amphibole, also the cleavage plane pairs diagonally between the chains
without breaking them i.e. parallel to (110). This broken line form a block
with an angle of 124° and 56° for the Amphiboles.
EXPERIMENTAL WORK
Laboratory experiment have been carried out involving the formation of
 Anthophyllite at high temperature, reaction as follows
Anthophyllite Hypersthene + H2O
{By decomposition of Anthophyllite give Enstite at 6500 C to 8000C at
5 Kilobar}
 Trimolite + calcite + Quartz Diopside + CO2 + H2O
{i.e. Decomposition of Trimolite}
 Dolomite + Quartz + H2O Trimolite + Calcite
 Trimolite Diopside + Talc
 Epidote + fluorite + Trimoite HORNBLENDE
 Plagioclase + chlorite + trimolite GLUCOPHANE + Loconite
(clay mineral)
CUMMIGTONITE: {(Mg,Fe)7Si8O22(OH)2}
Origin of name
Named after Cummingtonite, Massachutts,
its type locality.
Hand specimen identification:
Prismatic habit, two perfect
cleavages intersecting at near 60°
when viewed in basal section,
habit color and association
identify cummintonite.
It may be confused with
other amphibole.
Physical properties
 Color - white green
 Streak - white
 Hardness- - 5 ½ -6
 Specific gravity - 2.9-3.2
 cleavages/ - two perfect prismatic[110]/
fracture uneven
 luster/— - vitreous, silky, fibrous/
transparency transparent to translucent
Optical properties:
Cummingtonite is colourless to pale green. In thin section and exhibit
weak pleochroism. Interference color may be up to 2nd order.
Basal section show typical amphibole cleavage displaying 56° and 124°.
Extinction is inclined (15°-21°) to prismatic cleavage, polysynthetic twinning
is common, and birefringence is greater than for anthophyllite-gedrite.
Biaxial (+), α= 1.644, β= 1.657, γ= 1.674. δ= 0.030, 2v = 80°- 90°.
Crystallography:
Monoclinic, a= 9.51, b= 18.19, c= 5.33,/_b= 101.83°; Z=2;
space group 2/m; point group 2/m.
Habit:
cummintonite forms prismatic, fibrous crystals; aggregates of radiating fibers
or blades are common
Structure and compostion

Cummingtonite, like other amphiboles, has a double chain
structure SiO4 tertahedra are linked to make double chains that run
parallel to the c- axis. Each tetrahedron shares two or three oxygen
atom with neighbors, and has an unshared oxygen at the vertex pointing
perpendicular to c; Chains are paired; unshared oxygens points towards
each other and are bonded to the five octahedral cations occupying sites
between them. A complete solid solution series exits between
Mg- commintonite, Mg7Si8O22 (OH)2 and gunerite. The name cummingtonite
is given to the intermediate compostions, (Mg, Fe)7Si8o22(OH)2 with
Mg>Fe. Substantial Mn may replace Mg: Al and Ca may be present in
small amounts.
Occurrence and associations
It occurs in mafic or marly medium grade metamorphic rocks. It is
commonly found in amphibolites derived by regional metamorphism form
basic igneous rocks. Common associated minerals include amphiboles
(hornblende, actinolite or anthophyllite) garnet, plagioclase, and cordierites,
cummingtonite. Cummingtonite also occurs in a kinds few rare kind of
igneous rocks like as a mineral of primary crystallization in some Dacite.
Varieties
Amosite is an asbestiform amphibole similar to Fe rich cummingtonite
Related minerals
Cummingtonite is closely related to the other amphibole and is
polymorphic with members of the anthophyllite series
GRUNERITE: {Fe7Si8O22(OH)2}
Origin of name:
Named after L.E. Grither , a nineteenth- century mineralogist
who first analyzed grunerite
Hand specimen identification
Habit, color, two prominent cleavages at 56° to each other,
and associations help in identifying grunerite, but it cannot be
distinguished from other members of the cummigtonite series
without chemical or X-ray analysis.
Physical properties
 Color - dark green to brown
 Streak - white
 Hardness- -6
fracture uneven
 luster/— - vitreous, silky/
Optical properties
Grunerite is similar to other members of the cummingtonite-grunerite
series but exhibits less pleochroism than cummingtonite, has an
extinction angle of 10* to 15* to prismatic cleavage, and may show
interference color up to third order. Biaxial (-),
α= 1.169,β=1.71,γ=1.73, δ =0.040, 2v= 80°-90°
Crystallography
Monoclinic, A=9.6, b=5.3, c=5.3,B=101.8°, Z=2;
space group C2/m: point group 2/m.
Habit
It typically forms fibrous, bladed, or columnar crystals, often radiating.
Structure and composition
It is an end member of the cummontonite–gunerite series. Structure
and compstion are analogous to cummintonite. The name grunerite is
given by definition restricted to composition close to end members
Fe7Si8O22(OH)2
Occurrences and association
Grunerite is charaterstic mineral of metamorphosed Fe-rich silicious
sediments where metamorphism is of regional nature. Minerals such as
magnetite, hematite, minnesotaite, hedenbergite, fayalite, or garnet in
thermal metamorphosed and regional metamorphosed.
TREMOLITE {(Ca2,Mg5)Si8O22(OH,F)2}
Origin of name
Named after Val Tremola, Switzerland, where it was first found.
Association, perfect prismatic cleavages, and 56° cleavage angle when
viewed in basal section, fibrous /bladed or thin columnar crystal and
generally very light color identify tremolite. A 56° cleavage angle
distinguishes it from pyroxene and pyroxenoids; light color distinguishes it
from hornblende. It may also confused with vesuviannite or wollastonite.
Physical properties
 Color - white green
 Streak - white
 Hardness- - 5-6
fracture uneven
 luster/— - transparent to translucent
transparency
Optical properties:
Generally colorless when Fe free
tremolite may be green and
pleochoric when Fe is present.
Amphjbole cleavage angles (56°-124°).
Extinction 10°-21°in prismatic
section,large 2V and upper first to
secod order, interference color identify
tremolite. Biaxial (-), α=9.86,β=1.618,
γ=1.630, δ=0.022, 2V=85°.
Crystallography
Monoclinic ,a=9.86,b=18.11,c=5.34, β-
105°, Z=2: space group C2/m,
point group 2/m.
Habit
It is typically prismatic. It may be in
radiating or parallel blades, fibrous ,
asbestos form or columnar form . it is
commonly twinned parallel to [100].
Structure and compostion
Tremolite (Ca2,Mg5)Si8O22(OH,F)2 is the Mg end member of the calcic
amphibole series. Complete solid solution exits between tremolite and Fe-
actinoliteCa2Fe5Si8O22(OH)2. Intermediate composition are simply
termed as actinolite. Like other amphibole, tremolite has a doule chained
structure. SiO4 tetrahedra are linked to make double chain that run
parallel to c axis. Each tetrahedron shares two or three oxygen with
neighbors and has an unshared oxygen at he vertex pointing
perpendicular to c. Chains are paired: unshared oxygens point towards
each other and are bonded to five octahedral cations occupying sites
between them. The two octahedral sites are occupied by Ca. Other
alkalis and alkaline earth may substitute in small amount for Ca and
some Al may be present in either the octahedral or tetrahedral sites. If
impurities are present in sufficient quantities, the amphibole becomes
dark and in the absence of analytical data, we call it Hornblende.
Occurrence and association
Tremolite are one of the first minerals to from when impure crystalline
limestone-skarn and in calc-silicate-Hornfels in contact metamorphism
and metamorphosed. It is associated basic and ultrabasic such as
serpentine and Greenstone ,others are calcite dolomite talc, quartz or
forsterite, diopside and pholgopite.
Related mineral
All mineral are structurally similar. Tremolite is closely related to
Fe actinolite Ca2Fe5Si8O22, the other principal calcic-amphibole end
member.
ACTINOLITE: {(Ca2Fe5)Si8O22(OH,F)2}
Origin of name
From greek word actis (ray), referring to its common habit of radiating
needles
A needle like or columnar habit,
prismatic cleavages,
56° and124°cleavages angles and
distinctive green color usually
serve to identify actinolite. sometime
It is confused with epidote because
of it s green color. Mg: Fe may vary;
exact composition cannot be
determined in hand specimen.
Physical properties
 Color - dark green
 Streak - white
 Hardness- - 5-6
fracture uneven
 luster/— - vitreous /
Optical properties
Actinolite is similar to tremolite in thin section, but generally more
strong colored and pleochroic. Biaxial(-), α= 1.66,β= 1.62,γ1.63,δ=
0.03, 2V= 70°-80°.
Crystallography
Monoclinic ,a=9.84, b=18.05, c=5.27, β=104.7°, Z=2
Space group C2/m; point group 2/m
Habit
It is typically forms needles -either radiating or in parallel aggregates-
or columnar masses.
It is the name given to green amphiboles with composition
intermediate between tremoite. Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2, and Fe -actinolite
Ca2Fe5Si8O22(OH)2. Mn,Al,F and Cr are sometime present in minor
amount. Actinolite has the same structure as other calcic amphiboles
Occurrence and associations
It is characteristic of medium grade metamorphosed mafic rock. It is
one of the minerals that gives greenschist their characteristic color.
Associated minerals typically include albite, epidote, chlorite, quartz.
Varieties
 Nephrite is a Na-Al variety of actinolite. Being viscous Nephrite lends
itself to be polished to perfection, thus serving as a beautiful
semiprecious stone
 Actionlite asbestos is used as a Heat insulating material.
HORNBLENDE {(Ca,Mg,Na,Fe,Al)7_8
. (Si,Al)8O22(OH)2 }
Origin of name
From the german horn (horn) and blenden(blind)
referring toits luster and its lack of value.
Habit, 56* angle between two prominent cleavages
and dark clor usually sevre to identify hornblende. It is
occasionally confused with augite, but augite has a near
90* cleavage angle. In absence of compositional data, the
name hornblende is often used for any black amphibole.
Physical properties
 Color - black or dark green
 Streak - white
 Hardness- - 5 -6
fracture uneven
Optical properties
Hornblende may be various shades of
brown, green, blue-green, or yellow-brown
in thin section. Moderate to strong
pleochorism is typical. Cross section may
be pseudohexagonal or diamond shaped it
may appear like biotite but has too good
cleavages and generally high birefergence
56°and 120° cleavage angle distinguish it
from pyroxene. Biaxial (-),α=1.65, β=1.66,
γ=1.67, δ=0.02, 2V= 50*-80*.
Crystallography
Monoclinic, a= 8.97, b= 18-01, c = 5.33,
β=105.57*, Z= 2, space group C2/m.
Habit
Hornblende may be massive or prismatic
and is sometime bladed, columnar, or
fibrous. Euhedral crystal are often
prismatic with a pseudohexagonal cross
section, [100] contact twins are common.
.
Is similar to other amphiboles, except that a large site, vacant in most of
them, is partly occupied by Na and K. thus , hornblende contians close to
eight octahedral cations instead of seven. Hornblende composition varies
greatly according to solid solution series.
Occurrences and association
Hornblende are particularly characteristic mineral of intermediate plutonic
rock but also occur as products of primary crystallization in ultrabasic and
basic rocks, as well as in rocks of acid and alkali composition. It is one of
the most common constituent of regional metamorphic rocks, and is stable
under a wide range of P,T conditions from the greenschist to the lower
part of the granulite facies. Hornblende and plagioclase are the main, and
sometimes the sole, constituents of hornblende-schist, hornblende-gnesisses
and amphibolite rocks which constitute the main bulk of the amphibolite
facies. The hornblende in many igneous rocks is secondary in origin and
derived from primary pyroxene.
Related minerals
All of the amphibole are closely related in composition and structure.
Hornblende has a more variant composition than most of the others.
GLAUCOPHANE: {Na2Fe3Al2SI8O22(OH,F)2}
Origin of name
From greek word meaning
“to appear bluish”
Association, fibrous habit ,
near 60°cleavage angle ,
blue color are of glacuophane
and related Na amphiboles
crosstie and rebeckite
Physical properties
 Color - blue , grey.
 Streak - white to very light blue
 Hardness- - 6- 6 ½
fracture uneven
Optical properties
Glaucophane may be difficult to tell from other amphiboles. It is colorless to
blue or violet in thin section and often strongly pleochroic. Interference color
may range up to low 2nd order, but are sometimes masked by the mineral
color. It exhibits typical amphibole cleavage and often forms fine prisms or
needles diamond shaped cross sections. Biaxial (-). α =β=1.67,δ= = 0.01-
0.02,γ=1,65,2V= 0°50°
Crystallography
Monoclinic, a= 9.87, b=17.80,c= 5.30 β=103.76°, Z= 2: space group C2/m;
point group 2/m.
Glaucophane has a structure similar to the calcic amphibole. Although
glaucophane has end members composition Na2 Mg3 Al2 Si8O22(OH)2, most
natural sample contain substaintial Fe: Fe²+, replaces Mg²+ and
Fe³+replaces Al³if Fe²+ and Fe³+ replace most of the M²+ and Al³+, the
amphibole becomes rebeckite are called crosstie.
Related minerals
Glaucophane, Na2Mg3Al2Si8O22(OH)2 is similar in structure and chemistry to
all amphibole, but in particular the sodic amphibole: rebeckite,
Na2Mg4AlSi8O22(OH)2 and arfvedsonite . NaNa2Fe5Si8O22(OH)2. in the latter
two, substantial Na occupies a normally unoccupied interlayer site.

REBECKITE : {Na2Fe2³+Fe3²+Si8O22(OH)2}
Origin
It is essentially a sodic iron
silicate.
Indigo-blue in color
and fibrous in structure.
Commonly have a
needle-like appearance.
Physical properties
 cleavages/ - two perfect
fracture prismatic[110]/ uneven
Optical properties
Usually appears as small, anhedral, aggregates of needles , strongly
pleochroic in deep blue to green, the mineral is almost opaque, high
refractive index, birefringence low, polarization colors are marked by the
body color; extinction on pinacoid very low or small, Biaxial(-)(+),α=1.654-
1.701, β=1.662-1.711, γ=1.668-1.717, δ=0.006-0.016,2V=40°-90°.
Crystallography
Monoclinic, prismatic crystal, radiating tuff and rather shapeless aggregates
Structure and Composition
Essentially a sodium iron silicate, with a formula as (NaFeSi8O22(OH)2). It
commonly have a needle like appearance.
Occurrence and association
Riebeckite is the only member of this subgroup of alkali amphiboles to have
an igneous paragenesis. It occur as granite, quartz syenites, syenites and
nepheline-syenites but is a much commoner constitute of the oversaturated
than of the undersaturated rocks, it also occur in microgranite and in acid
volcanic rocks such as Riebeckite-granite,rebeckite-granophyre, etc.It is found
in a few low grade regionally metamorphosed schist.
Varieties
Crocidolite is proably a variety of rebeckite, constitutes the Cat’s eye or
Tiger’s eye used for ornament.
ANTHOPHYLLITE: {Mg7Si8O22(OH,F)2}
Origin of name
From the latin word anthophyllun, meaning “clove leaf”, referring to this
mineral color.
It is characterized by its clove -brown color,
usually prismatic habit, and prismatic cleavages
with a 54°to 55° cleavage angle, but it is
difficult to distinguish from other amphiboles
such as grunerite or cummintonite.
Some samples of anthophyllite are fibrous.
Physical properties
fracture uneven
Optical properties
In the thin section, anthophyllite is colorless to pale brown or green and
may be weakly pleochric. It shows typical amphibole cleavage angles
(56°to124°) and up to 2nd order interference color. It is difficult to tell from
Gedrite but parallel extinction distinguishes it from clinoamphiboles. Biaxial
(+or-) α= 1.60,β=1.62,γ=1.63,δ=0.03,2V = 65°-90°.
Crystallography
Orthorhombic, a=18.56, b= 18.01, c= 5.28, Z=4, space group P2/n/2m/2a:
point group 2/n2/m2/m.
Anthophyllite is part of a solid solution series extending from Mg7Si8O22(OH)2
towards Fe7Si8O22(OH)2.Although compositionally identical to the
monoclinic cummintonite-gunerite amphibole, anthophyllite is usually Mg Rich:
Fe rich compositions yield cummingtonite. Al and Na may be present in
anthophyllite; if Al content is great enough, amphibole is called gedrite,
structure of anthopyhllite is similar to that of cummingtonite
Occurrences and associations
It is found in low grade Mg rich Metamorphjc rocks where it may be
associated with cordierite. It is sometimes secondary after high temperature
mineral such as pyroxene and olivine, and is common in some serpentines.
Varieties: Amosite is asbestiform of anthophyllite
References:
Melovsky A.V. and Konosnov O.v. - Mineralogy ) Mis publisher
Moscow(1985)
Introduction, composittion,structure- p_184:
Tremolite-Actinolite - p_185, Hornblende- p_186,
Glaucophane- p_186 &187.
BY Rood W.H., F.R.S. 25th Rutleys Elements of
mineralogy(1962):-
Introduction, composition, paregenesis, Structure- p_381 &344,
Chemistry-p_347, Cummingtonite-Gunerite-p_346&347, tremolite-
actinolite-p_347&348, hornblende 342,350&351, rebeckite-p_353.
Perkins Dextar- Mineralogy:
Introduction, chemistry, structure, paragenesis-p_
anthophyllite-p_ 329, Gunerite-p_326 , cummingtonite-p_ 325 & 326,
gedrite-p_ , tremolite-p_326 & 327, actinolite-p_327.
Deer W.A frs; Howie R.A. ;Zusman J – An introduction to the
Rock forming Minerals (1955) FLBS publishers.
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Amphibole (Shanki)

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SEMINAR

In Monoclinic amphiboles:The composition is more complex, the large ions

Na-amphiboles are alkali and Monoclinic

Structure and compostion

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