Amphibole spectra

Amphibole Visible Spectra (generally 350 - 2500 nm)

Amphiboles absorb light primarily because of Fe²⁺ in the M1,M2,M3 and M4 sites, Fe³⁺, Cr³⁺, and V³⁺ in the M2,M1 and M3 sites, and the Fe²⁺ - Ti⁴⁺ or the Fe²⁺ - Fe³⁺ intervalance charge transfer.

Images of representative amphiboles

Spectra dominated by Fe²⁺ absorption.

²⁺

CIT-290 spectrum; Tremolite, St. Lawrence County, NY, plotted as 1.0 mm thick. Data files: alpha; beta; gamma
CIT-309 spectrum; Actinolite, San Bernardion Co, CA. Plotted as 0.50 mm thick. Data files: alpha; beta; gamma
GRR 549 spectrum; Winchite, from an alkalic dyke, in Ottawa Valley, Ontario, Canada. plotted as 0.327 mm thick. (expanded visible range)
CIT-4916 spectrum; Actinolite, Zillerthal Austria, plotted at 0.40 mm thick. (with some Fe²⁺-Fe³⁺ intervalence charge transfer). Data files: alpha; beta; gamma
CIT-4924 spectrum; Tremolite, Macob, NY, plotted as 1.50 mm thick. Data files: alpha; beta; gamma
CIT-6191 spectrum; Actinolite, Chester, VT, plotted as 0.40 mm thick. Data files: alpha; beta; gamma
CIT-7076 spectrum; Actinolitic Hornblende, Kragero, Norway, plotted as 0.10 mm. Data Files: alpha; beta; gamma
CIT-7223 spectrum; Grunerite, Heath Lake, Canada, plotted as 0.1 mm. Data Files: alpha; beta; gamma
CIT-8038 spectrum; Tremolite, Mt. Bity, Madagascar, plotted as 0.5 mm. Data Files: alpha; beta; gamma
UCLA MS2824E; Tremolite, Haliburton, Ontario, Canada, plotted as 1.20 mm thick. Data files: alpha; beta; gamma
UCLA MS2842 spectrum; Actinolite, Lone Pine, CA, plotted as 0.50 mm thick. Data files: alpha; beta; gamma
UCLA MS2858 spectrum; Pargasite, Oxbrow, NJ, plotted as 1.00 mm thick. Data Files: alpha; beta; gamma

Spectra dominated by Fe - Ti intervalence charge transfer

GRR 1029 spectrum; Kaersutite, Luchkow, Czech Republic, plotted for 0.05 mm.. Data Files: alpha; beta; gamma
CIT-11188 spectrum; Pargasite, Chelan, WA, plotted as 0.075 mm thick. Data files: alpha; beta; gamma
CIT-12573 spectrum; Pargasite, Pargas, Finland, plotted as 0.120 mm thick. Data files: alpha; beta; gamma
CIT-8037 spectrum; Pargasite, Verona, Ontario, Canada, plotted as 0.40 mm thick. Data files: alpha; beta; gamma
CIT-8044 spectrum; Pargasite, Bancroft, Ontario, Canada plotted as 0.05 mm thick. Data files: alpha; beta; gamma
CIT-8019 spectrum; Fluororichterite, Wilberforce, Ontario, Canada, plotted as 1.0 mm thick. Data files: alpha; beta; gamma
CIT-10668 spectrum, Reibeckite, St. Peter's Dome, Pike's Peak, Colorado, USA. Plotted as 0.03 mm thick. Data files; alpha; beta; gamma

Spectra with a major Cr or V component

UCLA MS2843 spectrum; Actinolite, Cloverdale, California, plotted for 1 mm, is green from chromium. Data Files: alpha; beta; gamma
CIT 7222 spectrum; Actinolite, Washington, USA, plotted for 1 mm, is green from chromium. Data Files: alpha; beta; gamma
GRR 2544, "Chrome tremolite", Merelani Hills, Tanzania, is actually colored by vanadium 3+.
GRR 1823 spectrum; Tremolite from Magadi, Kenya, plotted as 1.0 mm thick. Data files: alpha; beta

Spectra with multiple origins

CIT-10109 spectrum; Tremolite, Petaluma, CA, plotted as 0.70 mm thick. Data files: alpha; beta; gamma

Spectra dominated by manganese

GRR 138 spectrum; Tremolite (variety hexagonite), Balmat, New York, USA , plotted for 1 mm thickness. The color is from Mn³⁺. Data Files: alpha; beta; gamma

Link to an extensive collection of references to mostly color and visible spectroscopy of amphiboles

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revised 27-Aug-2022