Carlosturanite is a rare antigorite-like mineral that apparently contains vacant tetrahedral sites which interrupt the continuity of the tetrahedral sheet without affecting the continuity of the octahedral sheet (Mellini et al., 1985). The structure is thus similar to a modulated serpentine. To maintain charge balance, OH groups substitute for O atoms. The generalized formula is M21[T12O28(OH)4](OH)30. H2O, where M = Mg, Fe3+, Mn2+, Ti4+, and Cr3+, and T = Si, Al. Alberico (1998) showed that there are problems with the model of Mellini et al. (1985), and suggested the need to reexamine the structure. Important occurrences are related to low grade metamorphic (serpentinite) environments.
Cf., antigorite