Mesothelioma Information

Crocidolite is one type of riebeckite is a sodium-rich member of the amphibole group of minerals.  Its Mohs hardness is 5.0–6.0, meaning that it is in the middle compared to other minerals.  It is often translucent to nearly opaque.  It was named after German explorer Emil Riebeck (1853-1885).

It typically forms dark-blue elongated to fibrous crystals.  Some forms of riebeckite are asbestiform, notably crocidolite, also known as blue asbestos.  The riebeckite granite found on the island of Ailsa Craig, known as Ailsite, is prized for its use in making curling stones.