“White” asbestos
Chrysotile, is obtained from serpentine rocks.

“Brown” asbestos
Amosite, is a trade name for the amphiboles belonging to the Cummingtonite – Grunerite solid solution series, commonly from Africa, named as an acronym from Asbestos Mines of South Africa.

Blue” asbestos
Riebeckite, also known under the variety name of Crocidolite, is an amphibole from Africa and Australia.

Fibers can be found in rocks called “serpentine.”

It is a naturally occurring mineral. It is found in almost all parts of the world. It is a silicate of Iron or Magnesium. It is not an element, but a complex consisting of either Iron or Magnesium and Silicon, Oxygen and Hydrogen. It is processed after mining to create fibers used in heat-resistant clothing and insulation, or can be hard-pressed to create fire-proof solids, such as the standard “chemistry lab table” which you see in most schools. This type of asbestos is harmless, but the fibrous variety is very dangerous to the respiratory system of animals such as humans.