Clinochlore is a member of the chlorite group, commonly found in metamorphic rocks as green, platy, or micaceous aggregates. Collectors often prize the chromium-rich violet variety known as Kammererite. Its perfect cleavage and pearly luster on cleavage faces make it distinct from other mica-group minerals.
Is this clinochlore?
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 clinochlore with a known reference. Clinochlore sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Clinochlore leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Clinochlore typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, dark green, yellowish green, white, pink, violet.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, micaceous masses, platy aggregates.
Often confused with
Clinochlore vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside clinochlore
Minerals reported to co-occur with clinochlore. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mg,Fe²⁺)₅Al(Si₃Al)O₁₀(OH)₈
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 2.6-2.9 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Micaceous Masses, Platy Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Scientific Research
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Rocks Like Schists and Serpentinites
- Typical price
- $10-150 depending on specimen quality and locality
Where rockhounds find clinochlore
2 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Pennsylvania, USA
- Zermatt, Switzerland
- Erzgebirge, Germany
- Kola Peninsula, Russia
- Brumado, Brazil
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic rocks like schists and serpentinites country, the host setting where clinochlore typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, calcite, dolomite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, micaceous masses, platy aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Maine, New York. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
How do you identify clinochlore?+
Where is clinochlore found?+
Can I find clinochlore in the United States?+
How much is clinochlore worth?+
What rocks look like clinochlore?+
What minerals are found with clinochlore?+
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Find clinochlore on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
