Chlorite (incl.)
Chlorite is not recognized by the IMA is a mineral that is specific but could be the name of the group of minerals, the Chlorite Group. And so the term Chlorite is generally used to denote any person in the Chlorite Group when differentiation involving the members that vary maybe not possible. The Chlorite Group of minerals is really a number of mostly monoclinic phyllosilicate that is micaceous that includes Amesite, Chamosite, Clinochlore (Kämmererite and Seraphinite) and Cookeite amongst others. The most types that are typically the Chlorite Group are Clinochlore and Chamosite. Chlorite is termed through the Greek word chloros for green, referring to its typical colour.
Chlorites in many cases are known to gem collectors as green inclusions in Quartz and are particularly interesting when they form a coating on a crystal at the beginning of its development. As the crystal later grows larger, ie. out and around the Chlorite finish, the effect creates a crystal that is phantom. The interior “crystal” is frequently indistinct or ghostly and hence the true title phantom. Chlorite inclusions also frequently appear to resemble plant that is miniature or underwater coral scenes that can be referred to as “landscape” Quartz. The green Chlorite inclusions in many cases are joined by reddish to pink Montmorillonite inclusions and/or bright yellow or red Rutile inclusions to create extremely interesting and aesthetic “scenes” in these gems.
| Chemical Formula: | The general formula for the Chlorite Group may be stated as: A5-6T4Z18, where A = Al, Fe2+, Fe3+, Li, Mg, Mn, or Ni, while T = Al, Fe3+, Si, or a combination of them, and Z = O and/or OH |
| Crystallography: | Monoclinic – Prismatic |
| Composition: | Basic iron magnesium aluminium silicate |
| Color: | Light to dark green, greyish-green, black. Some rarer varieties are white, yellow, brown, pink and purple. |
| Hardness: | 2 – 2.5 |
| Transparency: | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific Gravity: | 2.6 – 3.3 |
| Luster: | Vitreous, pearly, or dull |
| Cleavage: | 1,1 |
| Fracture: | Uneven |
| Tenacity: | Thin flakes are flexible but not elastic. |
