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The chlorite Mineral Group
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Chlorite is the group name for about 10 related minerals. However, the term Chlorite can be used both to describe the group in general, or as a specific term to describe any green member of the Chlorite group whose exact identity is not practical to be determined. Although Chlorite is not recognized as an individual mineral species by the IMA, mineral collectors still refer to it by its
traditional name, except when specifically referring to the individual member minerals such as Clinochlore, Chamosite, and Cookeite. Chlorite is very common, and is often an uninteresting green mineral coating the surface of more important minerals. However, there are some crystal forms and varieties that are attractive on their own right. Chlorite also forms as inclusions within other minerals, especially Quartz, where it makes the host mineral green and may even cause phantom growths. |
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Chemical Formula |
Below is a simple formula encompassing the common members of the Chlorite Group:
(Mg,Fe,Li)6AlSi3O10(OH)8
The formula for the three most common individual group members are:
Cookeite: LiAl5Si3O10(OH)8
Clinochlore: (Mg,Fe2+)5Al2Si3O10(OH)8
Chamosite: (Fe2+,Mg)5Al2Si3O10(OH)8
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Composition |
Basic iron magnesium aluminum silicate
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Color |
Light to dark green, grayish-green, black. Some rarer varieties are white, yellow, brown, pink and purple. |
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Streak |
White |
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Hardness |
2 - 2.5 |
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Crystal System |
Monoclinic |
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Crystal Forms
and Aggregates |
Crystals are usually tabular and pseudohexagonal in shape, but also may be prismatic. Also as thick flakes, micaceous masses and groupings, and in
foliated, flaky, and scaly forms. May also be massive and in globular
masses of dense flakes.
Chlorite commonly form pseudomorphs and dense coatings of other minerals, assuming the original minerals crystal shape. |
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Transparency |
Transparent to translucent |
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Specific Gravity |
2.6 - 3.3 |
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Luster |
Vitreous, pearly, or dull |
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Cleavage |
1,1 |
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Fracture |
Uneven |
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Tenacity |
Thin flakes are flexible but not elastic. |
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Other ID Marks |
Has a slightly greasy feel.
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In Group |
Silicates; Phyllosilicates; Chlorite Group |
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Striking Features |
Color and lack of elasticity |
| Environment |
Most often in metamorphic environments, especially in Serpentine deposits; also as a secondary mineral in volcanic basalt and in hydrothermal replacement deposits.
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| Rock Type |
Igneous, Metamorphic |
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Popularity (1-4)
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2 |
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Prevalence (1-3)
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1 |
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Demand (1-3) |
3 |
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Although Chlorite is a fairly common mineral and found worldwide, localities producing material worthy of collections are surprisingly limited. Maderanertal, in Uri, Switzerland, is famous for its shiny green Chlorite coatings on Quartz and Adularia. Many interesting Quartz phantoms caused by Chlorite have been found there.
In the U.S., Excellent pseudomorphs of Chlorite after Garnet come from Michigamme, Marquette Co., Michigan. Chlorite as a matrix to nice Magnetite and Pyrite crystals comes from Chester, Windsor Co., Vermont. Good crystals come from the Green Mountain Mine, Day Book, Yancey Co., North Carolina. Strange pseudomorphs of Chlorite after all types of minerals came from the Tilly Foster Mine, Brewster, Putnam Co., New York.
Other localities include Trumbull, Fairfield Co., Connecticut; the Warren Brothers Quarry, Acushnet, Bristol County, Massachusetts; and the New Idria District in the Diablo Range, San Benito Co., California.
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Muscovite and other micas - Are more elastic then Chlorite.
Talc - Softer (1).
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Have a question about Chlorite? Visit our Q&A Community and ask the experts!
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