{"title":"Balangeroite","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBalangeroite\u003c\/strong\u003e is a rare iron-manganese-magnesium inosilicate, chemically related to \u003cstrong\u003egageite\u003c\/strong\u003e, first described in 1983 from the \u003cstrong\u003eBalangero\u003c\/strong\u003e asbestos mine in Piedmont, Italy, which remains its type and classic locality. It forms as brownish-yellow to dark brown fibrous or prismatic crystals with a vitreous-greasy luster, occurring in schistose serpentinite associated with the vast ultramafic massif of the \u003cstrong\u003eLanzo Valleys\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe species is essentially confined to a handful of Piedmontese occurrences: the \u003cstrong\u003ePoggio San Vittore asbestos mine\u003c\/strong\u003e at Balangero itself, \u003cstrong\u003ePonte del Diavolo\u003c\/strong\u003e in the Lanzo Valley, and \u003cstrong\u003eSanta Maria della Neve\u003c\/strong\u003e near Fiano. At these sites it grows alongside \u003cstrong\u003echrysotile\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003emagnetite\u003c\/strong\u003e, Fe-Ni alloys, \u003cstrong\u003etitanian clinohumite\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ediopside\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eantigorite\u003c\/strong\u003e, calcite, aragonite, opal and chalcedony, often intergrown so closely with chrysotile fiber that it was long mistaken for common asbestos.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor collectors, \u003cstrong\u003eBalangeroite\u003c\/strong\u003e is prized precisely for this scarcity: authentic specimens from the Balangero mine, now largely inaccessible due to closure of the historic workings, are true locality-specific rarities documenting a unique Alpine serpentinite paragenesis. Its distinctive orange-brown tufted fiber bundles and tight geographic restriction make it a coveted addition to any systematic silicate or Italian mineral collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"lz-balangeroite-0","title":"BALANGEROITE – Extremely RARE specimen with Golden Fibers from Piedmont, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003eNatural Balangeroite from Poggio San Vittore, Balangero, Turin, Piedmont, Italy. Extremely rare fibrous specimen displaying golden to dark orange hair-like crystals with excellent natural development and outstanding aesthetic appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"515\" data-end=\"532\"\u003eMineral Data:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"533\" data-end=\"548\"\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 101 x 18 x 7 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"565\" data-end=\"576\"\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 13.86 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"585\" data-end=\"600\"\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Poggio San Vittore, Balangero, Turin, Piedmont, Italy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"ITALMINERAL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45405673783405,"sku":null,"price":69.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0693\/8027\/6333\/files\/AGC_20240725_222918441.jpg?v=1782669064"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.italmineral.com\/collections\/balangeroite.oembed","provider":"ITALMINERAL","version":"1.0","type":"link"}