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(c) Mineral Picture courtesy of www.yuprocks.com
Mineral Picture courtesy of www.yuprocks.com

WollastoniteCaSiO3

Class: Silicate
Subclass: Pyroxene
Hardness: 4.5 - 5
Density: 2.9 - 3.1
Streak: White
Lustre: Vitreous
Habit: Mass of acicular to fibrous grains
Colours: White, gray or pale green

  Crystal System: Triclinic
Cleavage: Perfect
Fracture: Splintery
Magnetism: None
Reaction with HCl: Weak

Identification in hand sample:
Resembles tremolite, but has different cleavage.

Associations:
Common in metamorphed limestone and dolomite.

Industrial / ecomonic uses:
Replacement for chrysotile asbestos in fire-resistant building supplies. Also used in paints, film and plastics.

  

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