Clinochlore identification and geology

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• Previous: Citrine — Yellow to orange variety of quartz. Natural citrine is relatively rare; most commercial citrine is heat-treated amethyst.
• Next: Clinozoisite — Monoclinic calcium aluminum silicate, the aluminum-rich end member of the epidote group. Less common than epidote.
• Chlorite
• Lepidolite

Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner

GeoMiner

Last updated

2026-03-30T14:38:05.429894+00:00

Review status

Published; not independently peer-reviewed

• IMA–CNMNC List of Mineral Names — International Mineralogical Association. Official mineral-name, nomenclature, and classification records.
• Mineral ID Key — Mineralogical Society of America. Physical-property identification methods, repeat-testing guidance, and limitations.

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Common questions

What is Clinochlore?

Magnesium-rich chlorite group mineral. The chromium variety kämmererite has a distinctive vivid purple-pink color.

How can you identify Clinochlore?

Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records colour: Green, purple-pink kämmererite; lustre: Vitreous to pearly; streak: White to pale green; Mohs hardness: 2-2.5; cleavage: Perfect basal; crystal system: Monoclinic; transparency: Translucent. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.

How does Clinochlore form?

Forms during low-grade metamorphism of mafic and ultramafic rocks; kämmererite in chromite deposits.

Where is Clinochlore commonly found?

Turkey, Russia, USA; found in serpentinites and metamorphic rocks.

What is Clinochlore commonly confused with?

Clinochlore may be confused with Chlorite, Muscovite, Lepidolite. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.