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 — that is 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.
