1. Mineralogy

Photomicrographs of a thin section containing an amphibole crystal; under cross-polarized light on the left, and plane-polarized light on the right. https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?curid=1718490

Amphiboles crystallize into two crystal systems, monoclinic and orthorhombic.^[1] In chemical composition and general characteristics they are similar to the pyroxenes. The chief differences from pyroxenes are that (i) amphiboles contain essential hydroxyl (OH) or halogen (F, Cl) and (ii) the basic structure is a double chain of tetrahedra (as opposed to the single chain structure of pyroxene). Most apparent, in hand specimens, is that amphiboles form oblique cleavage planes (at around 120 degrees), whereas pyroxenes have cleavage angles of approximately 90 degrees. Amphiboles are also specifically less dense than the corresponding pyroxenes.^[2] Amphiboles are the primary constituent of amphibolites.^[3]

1.1.Structure

Like pyroxenes, amphiboles are classified as inosilicate (chain silicate) minerals. However, the pyroxene structure is built around single chains of silica tetrahedra while amphiboles are built around double chains of silica tetrahedra. In other words, as with almost all silicate minerals, each silicon ion is surrounded by four oxygen ions. In amphiboles, some of the oxygen ions are shared between silicon ions to form a double chain structure as depicted below. These chains extend along the [001] axis of the crystal. One side of each chain has apical oxygen ions, shared by only one silicon ion, and pairs of double chains are bound to each other by metal ions that connect apical oxygen ions. The pairs of double chains have been likened to I-beams. Each I-beam is bonded to its neighbor by additional metal ions to form the complete crystal structure. Large gaps in the structure may be empty or partially filled by large metal ions, such as sodium, but remain points of weakness that help define the cleavage planes of the crystal.^[4]

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  Double-chain inosilicate structure looking up the [100] axis. Silicon ions are hidden by apical oxygen ions. https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?curid=1507921

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  Side view (along [010]) of double chain inosilicate backbone. Apical oxygens are at the bottom. https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?curid=1472782

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  Amphibole structure looking along the [001] axis. Silicon ions are emphasized. Two "I-beams" are outlined in green. https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?curid=1161564

In rocks

Mineral assemblage of igneous rocks. https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?curid=2000864

Hornblende diorite from the Henry Mountains, Utah, US. https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?curid=1167195

Amphibolite from Warrensburg, Adirondack Mountains, New York State, USA. https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?curid=1185315

Amphiboles are minerals of either igneous or metamorphic origin. Amphiboles are more common in intermediate to felsic igneous rocks than in mafic igneous rocks,^[5] because the higher silica and dissolved water content of the more evolved magmas favors formation of amphiboles rather than pyroxenes.^[6] The highest amphibole content, around 20%, is found in andesites.^[7] Hornblende is widespread in igneous and metamorphic rocks and is particularly common in syenites and diorites. Calcium is sometimes a constituent of naturally occurring amphiboles. Amphilotes of metamorphic origin include those developed in limestones by contact metamorphism (tremolite) and those formed by the alteration of other ferromagnesian minerals (such as hornblende as an alteration product of pyroxene).^[8] Pseudomorphs of amphibole after pyroxene are known as uralite.^[9]

2. History and Etymology

The name amphibole derives from Greek amphíbolos (ἀμφίβολος, lit. double entendre), implying ambiguity. The name was used by René Just Haüy to include tremolite, actinolite and hornblende. The group was so named by Haüy in allusion to the protean variety, in composition and appearance, assumed by its minerals. This term has since been applied to the whole group. Numerous sub-species and varieties are distinguished, the more important of which are tabulated below in two series. The formulae of each will be seen to be built on the general double-chain silicate formula RSi₄O₁₁.^[10]

Four of the amphibole minerals are commonly called asbestos. These are: anthophyllite, riebeckite, the cummingtonite/grunerite series, and the actinolite/tremolite series. The cummingtonite/grunerite series is often termed amosite or "brown asbestos", and riebeckite is known as crocidolite or "blue asbestos". These are generally called amphibole asbestos.^[11] Mining, manufacture and prolonged use of these minerals can cause serious illnesses.^[12][13]

3. Mineral Species

The more common amphiboles are classified as shown in the following table:^[14]

3.1. Other Species

Orthorhombic series

• Holmquistite, Li₂Mg₃Al₂Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂

Monoclinic series

• Pargasite, NaCa₂Mg₃Fe²⁺Si₆Al₃O₂₂(OH)₂
• Winchite, (CaNa)Mg₄(Al,Fe³⁺)Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂
• Edenite, NaCa₂Mg₅(Si₇Al)O₂₂(OH)₂

3.2. Series

Certain amphibole minerals form solid solution series, at least at elevated temperature. Ferrous iron usually substitutes freely for magnesium in amphiboles to form continuous solid solution series between magnesium-rich and iron-rich endmembers. These include the cummington (magnesium) to grunerite (iron) endmembers, where the dividing line is placed at 30% magnesium.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

In addition, the orthoamphiboles, anthophyllite and gedrite, which differ in their aluminium content, form a continuous solid solution at elevated temperature. As the amphibole cools, the two end members exsolve to form very thin layers (lamellae).Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

Hornblende is highly variable in composition, and includes at least five solid solution series: magnesiohornblende-ferrohornblende (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.), tschermakite-ferrotschermakite (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.), edenite-ferroedenite (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.), pargasite-ferropargasite (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.) and magnesiohastingstite-hastingsite (Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.). In addition, titanium, manganese, or chromium can substitute for some of the cations and oxygen, fluorine, or chlorine for some of the hydroxide. The different chemical types are almost impossible to distinguish even by optical or X-ray methods, and detailed chemical analysis using an electron microprobe is required.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

Glaucophane to riebeckite form yet another solid solution series, which also extends towards hornblende and arfvedsonite.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

There is not a continuous series between calcic clinoamphiboles, such as hornblende, and low-calcium amphiboles, such as orthoamphiboles or the cummingtonite-grunerite series. Compositions intermediate in calcium are almost nonexistent in nature.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1. However, there is a solid solution series between hornblende and tremolite-actinolite at elevated temperature. A miscibility gap exists at lower temperatures, and, as a result, hornblende often contains exsolution lamellae of grunerite.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

3.3. Descriptions

On account of the wide variations in chemical composition, the different members vary considerably in properties and general appearance.

Anthophyllite occurs as brownish, fibrous or lamellar masses with hornblende in mica-schist at Kongsberg in Norway and some other localities. An aluminous related species is known as gedrite and a deep green Russia n variety containing little iron as kupfferite.^[10]

Hornblende is an important constituent of many igneous rocks. It is also an important constituent of amphibolites formed by metamorphism of basalt.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

Actinolite is an important and common member of the monoclinic series, forming radiating groups of acicular crystals of a bright green or greyish-green color. It occurs frequently as a constituent of greenschists. The name (from Greek ἀκτίς, ἀκτῖνος/aktís, aktînos, a 'ray' and λίθος/líthos, a 'stone') is a translation of the old German word Strahlstein (radiated stone).^[10]Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

Glaucophane, crocidolite, riebeckite and arfvedsonite form a somewhat special group of alkali-amphiboles. The first two are blue fibrous minerals, with glaucophane occurring in blueschists and crocidolite (blue asbestos) in ironstone formations, both resulting from dynamo-metamorphic processes. The latter two are dark green minerals, which occur as original constituents of igneous rocks rich in sodium, such as nepheline-syenite and phonolite.^[10]Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.

Pargasite is a rare magnesium-rich variety of hornblendeLua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1.Lua error: Internal error: The interpreter exited with status 1. with essential sodium, usually found in ultramafic rocks. For instance, it occurs in uncommon mantle xenoliths, carried up by kimberlite. It is hard, dense, black and usually automorphic, with a red-brown pleochroism in petrographic thin section.^[15]