About
Clinochlore forms a series with the Chamosite within the Chlorite group. Chamosite is the iron rich end member, and Clinochlore is the magnesium-rich end member. Their properties are very similar, and they are difficult to distinguish from each other, though Clinochlore is softer, lighter, and usually more transparent than Chamosite.
Crystal Forms & Aggregates
Clinoclore may form pseudomorphs and dense coatings of other minerals, assuming the original minerals crystal shape.
Other ID Marks
Striking Features
Environment
Varieties
✓ common · ✗ uncommon
- Kammererite— Chromium-rich variety of Clinochlore with a pink to deep crimson-red color. Also spelled Kämmererite or Kaemmererite.
- Pennine— Clinochlore with pseudohexagonal crystals.
- Seraphinite— Trade name for Clinochlore polished with feathery-like chatoyancy. Used as a minor gemstone.
Uses
Noteworthy Localities
The most famous locality for Kammererite is the Kop Krom mine, Kop Daglari, Erzurum, Turkey; where it comes in transparent gemmy crystals of deep and beautiful crimson color. Kaemmererite also comes from Turkey at Guleman, Elazig.
In the U.S., the original type locality is Brinton's Quarry, West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Other localities are the Old Mine Plaza, Trumbull, Fairfield Co., Connecticut; the New Idria District in the Diablo Range, San Benito Co., California; and the Jeffrey mine, Asbestos, Quebec, Canada.
Exceptional Clinochlore crystals came from the old Tilly Foster mine, Brewster, Putnam Co., New York, sometimes in strange pseudomorphs after other minerals. Excellent pseudomorphs of Chlorite after Garnet come from Michigamme, Marquette Co., Michigan. A classic Kammererite locality in the U.S. is the Wood's Chrome Mine, Texas, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania.
Common Mineral Associations
Distinguishing Similar Minerals
Talc - Softer (1).
Other Chlorite minerals - Indistinguishable by practical methods.
Photos
Crystal forms
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