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ETT22XX: Fibrous Balangeroite crystals, a rare asbestiform magnesium–iron–manganese silicate, on matrix and bronze in color, formed by very well-developed and fine crystals, more aerial than usual, which require exquisite care when transporting a specimen such as this.
This species was approved in 1983 and is found only in three localities in Italy; it has not been described anywhere else.
It has been published in the magazine ‘Paragénesis’ number 01/2025, page 110.
Furthermore, this specimen has been mentioned in thread FMF - MineralExpo Barcelona-Sants 2024 (edición octubre) - Minerales Invisibles
The historic mining locality of the San Vittore asbestos mine is the type locality for the mineral species Balangeroite.
The locality lies within the Balangero serpentinite body, part of the Lanzo ultramafic massif, an Alpine ophiolitic fragment. The serpentinites derive from upper-mantle peridotites that underwent intense serpentinization, hosting fibrous minerals and complex silicates. Within this geological setting, balangeroite formed in relation to metasomatic processes and late hydrothermal evolution of the ultramafic body.
Poggio San Vittore asbestos Mine, Balangero, Lanzo Valleys (Valli di Lanzo), Metropolitan City of Turin Province, Piedmont (Piemonte) Italy
Specimen size: 6.0 × 4.5 × 3.4 cm = 2.36” × 1.77” × 1.34”
Type locality
Photo: Pere Alonso
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