What are some interesting facts about talc?

Talc is the softest mineral on the planet and can cause some people respiratory distress when used in its powder form for prolonged periods. It comes in a variety of colors ranging from white to purple to black, and in rare cases, may even be colorless.

It takes millions of years for talc to form, and around 15,000 years ago people used it as an ingredient in paint. Early Chinese used it to glaze their pottery and the ancient Egyptians used it in their makeup. In modern times, talc is commonly used in animal feed, candy, chewing gum, cosmetics and in olive oil processing.