Kammererite is a highly sought-after, chromium-rich variety of clinochlore prized for its distinct vivid violet to magenta color. It typically forms as platy, micaceous clusters or pseudo-hexagonal crystals found within serpentinized ultramafic rocks.
Is this kammererite?
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 kammererite with a known reference. Kammererite 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. Kammererite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Kammererite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: violet, purple, magenta, rose.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, pseudo-hexagonal plates, micaceous aggregates.
Often confused with
Kammererite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside kammererite
Minerals reported to co-occur with kammererite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Mg,Fe²⁺)₅(Cr,Al)₂Si₃O₁₀(OH)₈
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 2.6-2.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Pseudo-hexagonal Plates, Micaceous Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Serpentinite, Metamorphosed Chromite Deposits
- Typical price
- $20-200 per specimen
Where rockhounds find kammererite
3 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Kop Krom mine, Turkey
- Urals, Russia
- Pennsylvania, USA
- Shetland Islands, Scotland
Field-hunting tip
Look in serpentinite, metamorphosed chromite deposits country, the host setting where kammererite typically forms. If you start seeing chromite, calcite, diopside in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, pseudo-hexagonal plates, micaceous aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Maryland, Pennsylvania. Start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find kammererite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
