Crocidolite

3D Model

This vein of crocidolite (or blue asbestos) comes from the now defunct Wittenoom mine in Western Australia. Use of asbestos for insulating products was phased out in Australia in the early 1980s, but during its production years it was (and continues to be) responsible for many deaths from mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases.

Mineralogically, crocidolite is asbestiform riebeckite - a sodic amphilbole.

Reprocessed version (using Metashape v2.3) uploaded 16th January 2026.