Mineralpedia Details for Balangeroite

Named for the type and only locality at in the Balangero-Corino area at the Poggio San Vittore asbestos mine in Piedmont, Italy. Balangeroite is found in schistose serpentinite near a large ultramific massif, and in association with chrysotile, magnetite, iron-nickel alloys, olivenite, titanian clinohumite, diopside, antigorite, calcite, aragonite, opal, chalcedony, and clay minerals.

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/balangeroite.pdf

Formula

Mg₂₁Si₈O₂₇(OH)₂₀ 

Crystal System

Monoclinic 

Crystal Habit

Fibrous 

Cleavage

Very Good, Very Good, None 

Luster

Vitreous - Greasy 

Color

brownish yellow, dark brown 

Streak

brownish white 

Class

Monoclinic - Prismatic 

Hardness

- 

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Special Info

Type Locality

Orange-brown fibrous crystals. This is a "Co-Type" specimen given to Don Cooke by Bill Pinch. Balangeroite was discovered in 1977 by Enrico Beccuti. The type specimen resides at the Turin University museum. It is found in the Balagero serpintine.

Attractive and beautiful spay of  fibrous Balangeroite to 2.5cm (last two shots).

Special Info

Type Locality

Slender golden, fibrous crystals to 4.5cm. Balangeroite is a rare inosilicate found in schistose serpentinite in proximity to a large ultramafic massif. It is a one-locality mineral.