Tremolite talc soapstones

Another common alteration involves the replacement of serpentine by chlorite, resulting in a rock composed solely of chlorite and magnetite. Further replacement by talc or talc-carbonate will result in a talc-chlorite (-carbonate) soapstone. Other alterations can result in the formation of tremolite-talc or chlorite-tremolite-talc soapstones. 

Two important factors are suggested by this model. First, the concentration of a trace element in a particular mineral (like talc) formed in this manner depends upon many factors including the size and charge of the ion (which eflFect the partition coefficient), the composition of the aqueous solution, the minerals present in the intrusive (determines D ), and the time or extent of reaction. Since talcose rocks of similar composition can be formed by various different processes, the differences in any of the factors noted above would result in different trace element contents. Second, since the assumption that the partition coefficients for antigorite, talc, and tremolite are similar appears to be true, one would expect their trace element contents to be similar. This means that a series of soapstone samples collected from a particular geologic body might contain different amounts of these minerals but that they all would probably be very similar in trace element content despite differences in the bulk element composition of the samples. 

Talc—A common, extremely soft, basic magnesium silicate mineral in compact aggregates, it is known as soapstone (steatite) in reference to their soapy feel. It is frequently associated with tremolite. 

Talc is the major constituent of rocks known as soapstone or steatite. Its paragenesis is associated with the hydrothermal metamorphism of siliceous dolomites, and thus it might be accompanied by tremolite, which may be of concern for many potential applications. 

Soapstone, respirable dust Soapstone, total dust Talc (containing asbestos) Tremolite, asbestiform Vegetable oil mist... 

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