chrysotile

Individual member mineral in the Serpentine group, with a chemical formula of Mg₃Si₂O₅(OH)₄. Chrysotile is scientifically divided into three individual minerals which crystallize in different formations:

• Clinochrysotile crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system.
• Orthochrysotile and Parachrysotile crystallize in the orthorhombic crystal system.
• Lizardite crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system.

The term Chrysotile is sometimes also used to describe any fibrous form Serpentine.