The enchanting Journey through the talc of mine Paola
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Piece of white talc
© Archivio Ecomuseo delle Miniere e della Val Germanasca
© Archivio Ecomuseo delle Miniere e della Val Germanasca
Now it's time to know talc better...
The talc, white coloured, seems extremely greasy to the touch and unscented. In the past it was used to manufacture some objects such as frying pans and irons. In the local dialect it is called PEIRO DOUSO, meaning "sweet stone", appellation coming from its tenderness; it is in fact at the first place in the minerals' hardness scale, "the Scale of Mohs"; in comparison, diamond is at the tenth place).
The variety of talc mined in Val Germanasca is regarded as one of the best in the world because of its whiteness and purity. In some layer's stretches the rock assumes a greyish hue, for this reason we recognize two different varieties of talc: the white talc (more appreciated) and the grey talc.
At present it is employed in the cosmetic industry, in the pharmaceutical industry (production of capsules) and in the alimentary industry (in production of chewing gum and candies since it prevents the products from sticking to the paper), or in plastics, potteries and paints manufacturing. Besides, it is used as cloths and paper dyes or as insulator and lubricant.
The talc, white coloured, seems extremely greasy to the touch and unscented. In the past it was used to manufacture some objects such as frying pans and irons. In the local dialect it is called PEIRO DOUSO, meaning "sweet stone", appellation coming from its tenderness; it is in fact at the first place in the minerals' hardness scale, "the Scale of Mohs"; in comparison, diamond is at the tenth place).
The variety of talc mined in Val Germanasca is regarded as one of the best in the world because of its whiteness and purity. In some layer's stretches the rock assumes a greyish hue, for this reason we recognize two different varieties of talc: the white talc (more appreciated) and the grey talc.
At present it is employed in the cosmetic industry, in the pharmaceutical industry (production of capsules) and in the alimentary industry (in production of chewing gum and candies since it prevents the products from sticking to the paper), or in plastics, potteries and paints manufacturing. Besides, it is used as cloths and paper dyes or as insulator and lubricant.