In this case, when iron is predominant the mineral is ferro-actinolite and when magnesium is predominant the mineral is tremolite. Actinolite is the intermediate member. Other minerals also form asbestos such as serpentine and the minerals of the series mentioned above. Serpentine asbestos is more widely used and of a better grade in general. Although asbestos has been shown to cause cancer in humans when inhaled in high enough concentrations, it still has many valuable applications.
Asbestos is used for fire retardant materials and brake shoes and pads.
Its prior use as insulation has been all but eliminated due to health concerns. A variety of actinolite, nephrite , is one of the two minerals called jade . The other jade mineral is jadeite . Jade has been used for eons in China and Central America as an ornamental and religious stone of deep significance. The nephrite jade was used mostly in China, although both have been used in both regions.