CLINOCHLORE

HISTORY, NAME, LOCALITIES: Clinochlore, pronounced KLINE-oh-klore, has been known since antiquity and was recognized as a mineral species in 1851.  Its name comes from the Greek words klino, meaning “inclined” or “oblique,” alluding to the crystal’s distinctive, tapering, pyramidal terminations, and chlōros, or “green,” after the mineral’s primary color.  Important collecting sites are located in Australia, Italy, France, England, Russia, Greenland, South Africa, Canada, Mexico, and the United States (Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming).

MINERALOGY, PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCE: Clinochlore [basic magnesium aluminum oxysilicate, (Mg,Al)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₈], a phyllosilicate and member of the chlorite mineral group, crystallizes in the monoclinic system as pseudohexagonal, tabular crystals with distinctive pyramidal terminations; it also occurs in foliated, fibrous, earthy, and massive forms.  Clinochlore has a Mohs hardness of 2.0-2.5, perfect cleavage in one direction, vitreous-to-pearly luster, and a specific gravity of 2.6-2.8.  It is transparent to translucent and usually has a green-to-emerald-green color that is sometimes streaked with white.  Clinochlore occurs in altered igneous rocks, hydrothermal replacement deposits, basaltic cavities, and metamorphic schist and gneiss.

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES, LORE, USES: According to metaphysical practitioners, clinochlore enhances personal creative expression, reduces stress, provides peace of mind, helps adjusts to higher states of awareness, and aids in recalling dreams.  Massive clinochlore, which is often marketed as “seraphinite,” is fashioned into decorative objects and cut into cabochons for use in jewelry.

COLLECTORS’ INFORMATION: Clinochlore is collected for its emerald-green color.  Composite specimens of clinochlore and garnet-group minerals are especially popular among collectors.