Wollastonite

The eco-friendly industrial mineral

Wollastonite, a mineral specimen
Mineral

Wollastonite is a calcium silicate mineral that typically forms when limestone undergoes contact metamorphism near igneous intrusions. Its needle-like crystal habit and bright white color make it a versatile industrial mineral used in ceramics, plastics, and as a more sustainable replacement for asbestos.

Composition

calcium inosilicate (CaSiO₃)

Where Found

Willsboro (New York, USA), Lappeenranta (Finland), Rajasthan (India), Chiapas (Mexico), Jilin (China)

Mohs Hardness

4.5-5

Fun Fact

Wollastonite is being studied as a carbon capture tool — when it reacts with CO₂, it permanently locks the carbon away as solid calcium carbonate, potentially helping mitigate climate change.

Test Your Knowledge

Why is wollastonite increasingly studied as a potential tool for carbon capture?

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