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Home » Minerals » Chlorite

Chlorite


Mineral Properties and Uses



What is Chlorite?



"Chlorite" is a name used for a group of sheet silicate minerals with similar properties. They are primarily found in weakly metamorphosed rock and form from the alteration of clay-rich sedimentary rocks and from alteration of pyroxenes, amphiboles and micas. They are also found in some sediments.


Physical Properties of Chlorite

Uses Very few industrial uses. Used as a filler and as a constituent of clay.
Color various shades of green, yellow, white, pink, rose-red
Streak greenish to greenish black to white
Luster vitreous to pearly
Diaphaneity transparent to translucent
Cleavage basal, perfect
Mohs Hardness 2 - 2.5
Specific Gravity 2.6 - 3.3
Distinguishing Characteristics color, hardness
Chemical Composition a generalized formula:
(Mg,Fe)3(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2.(Mg,Fe)3(OH)6

(Many solid solution possiblities exist with the "chlorite" composition, each producing a specimen with slightly varying properties. Chlorite minerals include clinochlore (most abundant), baileychlore, chamosite, cookeite, donbassite, gonyerite, nimite, odinite, orthochamosite, pennantite, ripidolite, sudoite.
Crystal System monoclinic



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Chlorite
Chlorite from Quebec, Canada. This specimen is approximately 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) across.




Chlorite layering
A side view of the layering of chlorite from Quebec, Canada. Specimen is approximately 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) across.


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