Information about Clinochlore

Clinochlore is typically green, ranging from light, almost colourless green to dark olive or emerald shades.

It forms in micaceous to foliated masses, but can also appear in flattened tabular crystals and rosettes. It often exhibits a pearly or vitreous lustre and can show weak pleochroism in thin sections.

Uses and History

Clinochlore is not used industrially but holds value for collectors, especially when it occurs in attractive crystal habits or as ornamental stone like Seraphinite.

It is also sometimes polished for lapidary use, though it is soft and fragile, and can fracture easily during polishing.

Clinochlore was officially named in 1851 by William Phipps Blake. The name derives from the Greek words klinein (“incline”) and chloros (“green”), referring to both its colour and monoclinic crystal symmetry.

Its type locality is Brintons Quarry, PA, USA.

Mineralogy

Hazards and Warnings

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Translations

Further Reading / External Links

• https://www.mindat.org/min-1070.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorite_group