Mineral description : Kammererite

(variety of clinochlore)

Kammererite with chromite from Elijärvi, Finland.

Mineral class Silicates : Phyllo silicates : Chlorite group

Chemical formula (Mg,Fe,Cr)₅Al(Si₃Al)O₁₀(OH)₈

Crystal system Monoclinic

Habitus Pseudohexagonal tabular crystals. Often as scaly or massive aggregates or as crusts.

Cleavage Perfect basally, lamellar fracture.

Hardness 2-3

Density 2.6-3.4

Color Pale to deep purple varying with the amount of chrome.

Streak

Luster Vitreous, dull or pearly.

Description Kammererite is a very nice mineral in the collection. It shows a very distinctive color but crystals are rare. Mostly you only find it as massiv together with chromite.
As all chlorites, flakes are flexible but not elastic, don't return to it's previous form.

Occurance In chromium ores.

Associates Chromite

Notes Kammererite is considered to be a variety of clinochlor containing chrome.

Localities A not so common mineral.
Sweden :

Paije Sartajaur, Arjeplog, Lappland.
Sähkok-Ruopsok, Jokkmokk, Lappland.
Äggholmen, Strömsund, Jämtland.
Muruhatten, Strömsund, Jämtland.
Norway :

Stadtlandet and Almklovdalen. In large amounts of grayish purple kammererite in dunites.
Feragen fields.
Åheim. From an olivine quarry.
Rauholmen, west of Hestmannöya
Finland :

Elijärvi chromium mine. As pale to strong purple masses with chromite crystals, uvarovite and talc.
Outokumpo area.

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Last changed : 2001-02-13

Mineral class	Silicates : Phyllo silicates : Chlorite group
Chemical formula	(Mg,Fe,Cr)₅Al(Si₃Al)O₁₀(OH)₈
Crystal system	Monoclinic
Habitus	Pseudohexagonal tabular crystals. Often as scaly or massive aggregates or as crusts.
Cleavage	Perfect basally, lamellar fracture.
Hardness	2-3
Density	2.6-3.4
Color	Pale to deep purple varying with the amount of chrome.
Streak
Luster	Vitreous, dull or pearly.
Description	Kammererite is a very nice mineral in the collection. It shows a very distinctive color but crystals are rare. Mostly you only find it as massiv together with chromite. As all chlorites, flakes are flexible but not elastic, don't return to it's previous form.
Occurance	In chromium ores.
Associates	Chromite
Notes	Kammererite is considered to be a variety of clinochlor containing chrome.
Localities	A not so common mineral. Sweden : Paije Sartajaur, Arjeplog, Lappland. Sähkok-Ruopsok, Jokkmokk, Lappland. Äggholmen, Strömsund, Jämtland. Muruhatten, Strömsund, Jämtland. Norway : Stadtlandet and Almklovdalen. In large amounts of grayish purple kammererite in dunites. Feragen fields. Åheim. From an olivine quarry. Rauholmen, west of Hestmannöya Finland : Elijärvi chromium mine. As pale to strong purple masses with chromite crystals, uvarovite and talc. Outokumpo area.