Talcs biography

Allegedly named in 1546 by Georgius Agricola (Georg Bauer) from Arabic "talq", pure, probably alluding to the color of its powder. Talc has the chemical formula - Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂.

It is probably best know for its low hardness, although it has a micaceous structure, it is so easily deformed, that crystals are rarely seen. Talc is a metamorphic mineral resulting from the metamorphism of magnesian minerals such as serpentine, pyroxene, amphibole, olivine, in the presence of carbon dioxide and water.

This is known as talc carbonation or steatization.

Talc can be formed in different geological environments or processes. Several types of talc deposits may be distinguished according to the present composition and parent rock from which they are derived:

• Alteration of sedimentary magnesium carbonate rocks

The talc is formed by the alteration of sedimentary magnesium carbonate rocks (dolomite and magnesite) at elevated temperature and pressur