Artinite - Encyclopedia

    Class : Carbonates, Nitrates, Borates
    Subclass : Hydrated carbonates
    Crystal System : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : Mg2CO3(OH)2 3H2O
    Rarity : Rare

Artinite is a hydrothermal alteration mineral lining the surface or occupying the fissures of serpentinized ultrabasic rocks. Its name was given to it in honor of Ettore Artini, professor of mineralogy at the University of Milan. It occurs in tufts and urchins of fine acicular transparent or white crystals, sometimes in botryoidal masses or crusts, usually associated with magnesite and brucite.

Main photo : Artinite from Artinite Pit, San Benito, California, USA © Rock Currier

Artinite from San Benito, California, USA © Michael C. Roarke
Artinite from Rio del Bastardo, Italy © Enrico Bonacina
Artinite from Artinitis Pit, San Benito, California, USA © Rod Martin
Artinite from Alban Hills, Lazio, Italy © Gianfranco Ciccolini

Artinite in the World

Magnificent fibroradiated groups 2 cm in diameter come from the New Idria and Gem mines near San Benito (California) : these are the finest specimens known. Large groups have also been discovered in the serpentinites of Val Malenco (Italy). The asbestos mines opened in the serpentinized peridotites of Staten Island (New York) and Hoboken (New Jersey) have also revealed superb crystallizations of artinite.
 
Photo on the right : Artinite from Rio del Bastardo, Roccamurata, Parma, Italy © Dario Cericola


Artinite in France

This mineral is not present in the French underground.

Twinning and special crystallizations

No twin known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fake or treatment identified for this mineral species.


Hardness : 2.5
Density : 2.01
Fracture : Irregular
Trace : White


TP : Transparent
RI : 1.488 to 1.557
Birefringence : 0.068
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : Acids

Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None

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