Baileychlore is a rare, zinc-rich member of the chlorite group that typically forms as platy or micaceous aggregates. It is primarily identified by its deep green color and occurrence in zinc-rich ore deposits, often appearing as coatings or intergrowths with other metallic minerals.
Is this baileychlore?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch baileychlore with a known reference. Baileychlore sits at Mohs <5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light green.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: pearly.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark green, yellow green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, foliated masses, micaceous aggregates.
Often confused with
Baileychlore vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Baileychlore is noticeably harder (Mohs <5 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs, so Baileychlore leaves light green, Clinochlore leaves greenish white to white.
How to tell apart: Baileychlore is noticeably harder (Mohs <5 vs. 2-3); streak differs, so Baileychlore leaves light green, Chamosite leaves green to gray.
Often found alongside baileychlore
Minerals reported to co-occur with baileychlore. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Zn,Fe²⁺,Al,Mg)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH,O)₈
- Mohs hardness
- <5
- Density
- 3.18 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light green
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, foliated masses, micaceous aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect micaceous
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As rims on colloform calcite veins, within a strongly oxidized collapse karst-breccia containing skarn clasts
Where rockhounds find baileychlore
Classic worldwide localities
- Red Dome deposit, 15 km west-northwest of Chillagoe, Queensland, Australia
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As rims on colloform calcite veins, within a strongly oxidized collapse karst-breccia containing skarn clasts. If you start seeing andesine, garnet, vesuvianite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, foliated masses, micaceous aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify baileychlore?+
Where is baileychlore found?+
What rocks look like baileychlore?+
What minerals are found with baileychlore?+
What kind of rock does baileychlore form in?+
What is baileychlore used for?+
Find baileychlore on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
