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