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• n  a mineral or mineral variety belonging to the amphibole group

• A slight trace of blue in the gems (caused, says Contat, by "a needle-like inclusion of amphibole in the crystalline structure") may make them unique among emeralds.

News & Articles

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• Noble gases hitch a ride on hydrous minerals
  The six noble gases do not normally dissolve into minerals, leaving earth scientists to wonder how they are recycled back into the Earth. Now, researchers have discovered that the lattice structure of minerals such as amphibole is actually quite capable of dissolving noble gases. Understanding how noble gases cycle from deep within the Earth to the atmosphere and back could help scientists track ...
  June 17, 2013 - Science Daily

Quotes

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• David Bernstein in Canada NewsWire (press release)
  Taken in context with the scientific literature to date,said Dr. Bernstein, "these studies provide new robust data that clearly support the difference seen epidemiologically between chrysotile and amphibole asbestos."