Chlorite

A green, mica-like group of minerals that colors many low-grade metamorphic rocks.

Chlorite specimen — Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How to identify chlorite

Green flaky masses that feel slightly soapy.
Flakes bend but don't spring back.
Often inside quartz as green phantoms.

Often confused with

Biotite
Biotite is darker and its sheets spring back.
Compare side by side
Talc
Talc is paler and softer.
Compare side by side

Where it's found

Greenschists worldwide
Swiss Alps
Pennsylvania

Uses

Part of greenschist and green slates; collector quartz with chlorite inclusions.

Rock tumbling

Not suitable for tumbling.

Did you know?

Its name comes from Greek chloros, 'green'.

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