Mineral
Chlorite
(Mg,Fe)₃(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₂·(Mg,Fe)₃(OH)₆Klorit
The mineral family that gives greenschist its green and splits into flakes; its name comes from the Greek for “green”.
Also known as: Chlorite group
- Popularly: Common stone
- Everyday
- Important in Türkiye
In short
Chlorite is not a single mineral but a group of green phyllosilicates (sheet silicates) containing magnesium and iron. It is very common in low-grade metamorphic rocks, in altered igneous rocks and in hydrothermal veins. The most common members of the group are clinochlore, chamosite and pennantite. It is soft and splits into flakes; but unlike mica, its flakes do not spring back when bent.
Photos
How does it form?
Chlorite forms at low and moderate temperatures. It is abundant in greenschist, formed by the transformation of silica-poor volcanic rocks such as basalt; chlorite is the diagnostic mineral of the greenschist facies (about 450 °C and 5 kilobars). In igneous rocks it appears as a secondary mineral from the alteration of minerals such as biotite, hornblende, pyroxene and garnet. In hydrothermal systems (propylitic alteration) it is one of the most common minerals; it also occurs in deeply buried sediments and in clays.
What is it used for?
Chlorite has no important industrial use of its own:
- Clay component: Chlorites are a common component of clays, which have countless uses.
- Chlorite schist: Chlorite-rich schist has been used on a small scale as decorative and building stone. In the USA, chlorite schist quarried near Ely, Minnesota, was used for the granules on the surface of asphalt roofing shingles because of its green colour, and was later replaced by synthetic materials.
- Seraphinite: The compact variety of clinochlore is used as a carving and ornamental stone.
- Scientific indicator: Chlorite in a rock shows that the rock was transformed at low temperature.
In Türkiye
According to the Handbook of Mineralogy, clinochlore forms well-crystallised specimens in the Kop chrome mine in the Kop Mountains near Aşkale, Erzurum.
What determines its value?
Chlorite is so common that its commercial value is almost nil; as a component of clay it is used in huge quantities anyway. The only variety that gains value as an ornamental stone is seraphinite: the sharpness of its feather-like shimmering texture, the quality of the polish and the rarity of the source matter. Collectors look for well-crystallised clinochlore, especially from well-known localities such as the Zillertal.
This information is educational, not buying, selling or investment advice. Value varies enormously with quality and treatment.
How to recognise it
- 1
Green, soft (hardness 2–2.5; a fingernail scratches it only with difficulty) flakes or earthy masses that split easily into leaves.
- 2
Its flakes are flexible but do not spring back when bent; the flakes of muscovite and biotite are elastic and return to shape when released.
- 3
It is seen in greenschist, chlorite schist and hydrothermal veins, and as green flakes and green staining in altered dark igneous rocks such as basalt and gabbro.
- 4
Talc is also soft and sometimes greenish, but feels soapy; chlorite does not. Chemical analysis is needed to tell which member of the group it is.
Myths and misconceptions
MythThe mineral chlorite is the same substance as the sodium chlorite sold as “Miracle Mineral Solution” (MMS).
FactThe mineral chlorite is a green rock-forming silicate; its name comes from the Greek for “green”. “Miracle Mineral Solution” is a liquid containing sodium chlorite, a chlorine compound, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that drinking it is the same as drinking bleach and has caused serious poisonings. The two names are similar, but the chemistry is unrelated.
What is it believed to be good for?
This section reports beliefs; it is not health information. There is no scientific evidence for these claims and no stone replaces medical treatment.
The meanings people give this stone, and who holds them:
- Today crystal-therapy sources claim that seraphinite, a variety of chlorite (the “angel stone”), helps people connect with angels and supports emotional balance and spiritual growth.
What science says
These claims cannot be measured or tested. Seraphinite is a compact form of the clinochlore variety of chlorite; its feather-like look is a natural mineral texture, not evidence of an angelic link.
Did you know?
Its name comes from the Greek chloros, “green”; the element chlorine takes its name from the same word.
“Seraphinite”, a compact variety of clinochlore, is carved as an ornamental stone; its main source is the Korshunovskoye iron deposit in Eastern Siberia.
Where is it found?
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- Zillertal, Tyrol, Austria · Known localityWell-crystallised clinochlore
- Val Malenco, Lombardy, Italy · Known locality
- Tilly Foster mine, Brewster, New York, USA · Historic source
- Unst, Shetland Islands, Scotland · Known locality
- Korshunovskoye iron deposit, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia · Known localityThe main source of the clinochlore variety carved as an ornamental stone under the name “seraphinite”; the point marks the Zheleznogorsk-Ilimsky area
- Kop Mountains (Kop chrome mine), Aşkale, Erzurum, Türkiye · Known localityWell-crystallised clinochlore according to the Handbook of Mineralogy; the point marks the Aşkale area
Locations are approximate to protect sites. Red dots mark places in Türkiye. Open in the big map →
Frequently asked questions
What is chlorite?
Chlorite is not a single mineral but a group of green phyllosilicates (sheet silicates) containing magnesium and iron. It is very common in low-grade metamorphic rocks, in altered igneous rocks and in hydrothermal veins. The most common members of the group are clinochlore, chamosite and pennantite. It is soft and splits into flakes; but unlike mica, its flakes do not spring back when bent.
What is chlorite used for?
Chlorite has no important industrial use of its own: Clay component: Chlorites are a common component of clays, which have countless uses. Chlorite schist: Chlorite-rich schist has been used on a small scale as decorative and building stone. In the USA, chlorite schist quarried near Ely, Minnesota, was used for the granules on the surface of asphalt roofing shingles because of its green colour, and was later replaced by synthetic materials. Seraphinite: The compact variety of clinochlore is used as a carving and ornamental stone.
How hard is chlorite?
It has a hardness of 2–2.5 on the Mohs scale. It is soft enough to scratch with a fingernail. Its specific gravity is 2.6–3.3 g/cm³.
Where is chlorite found?
Its best-known localities: Tilly Foster mine, Brewster, New York, USA; Zillertal, Tyrol, Austria; Val Malenco, Lombardy, Italy; Unst, Shetland Islands, Scotland; Korshunovskoye iron deposit, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia.
Where is chlorite found in Türkiye?
Known localities in Türkiye: Kop Mountains (Kop chrome mine), Aşkale, Erzurum, Türkiye.
How can you tell if chlorite is real?
Green, soft (hardness 2–2.5; a fingernail scratches it only with difficulty) flakes or earthy masses that split easily into leaves. Its flakes are flexible but do not spring back when bent; the flakes of muscovite and biotite are elastic and return to shape when released. It is seen in greenschist, chlorite schist and hydrothermal veins, and as green flakes and green staining in altered dark igneous rocks such as basalt and gabbro.
Is chlorite valuable?
On the “street to diamond” value ladder it sits on step 2 of nine: Raw material by the tonne. Chlorite is so common that its commercial value is almost nil; as a component of clay it is used in huge quantities anyway. The only variety that gains value as an ornamental stone is seraphinite: the sharpness of its feather-like shimmering texture, the quality of the polish and the rarity of the source matter. Collectors look for well-crystallised clinochlore, especially from well-known localities such as the Zillertal.
What is chlorite good for?
Today crystal-therapy sources claim that seraphinite, a variety of chlorite (the “angel stone”), helps people connect with angels and supports emotional balance and spiritual growth. These claims cannot be measured or tested. Seraphinite is a compact form of the clinochlore variety of chlorite; its feather-like look is a natural mineral texture, not evidence of an angelic link. This section reports beliefs; it is not health information. There is no scientific evidence for these claims and no stone replaces medical treatment.
Sources
- Handbook of Mineralogy: Clinochlore · Mineralogical Society of America
- Clinochlore · Webmineral
- Chlorite group · Wikipedia
- Leaders of “Genesis II Church of Health and Healing,” Who Sold Toxic Bleach as Fake “Miracle” Cure for COVID-19 and Other Serious Diseases, Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison · U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Klorit grubu · Wikipedia (Turkish)
External links
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