Kammererite: Gemstone Information

The name kammererite has been abandoned by the IMA, CNMMN,in favour of clinochlore, variety chromian clinochlore. Clinochlore is (Mg,Al)6Al(Si,Al)4O10(OH) and forms thin to thick pseudohexagonal crystals of the monoclinic system. Crystals of the rose-red chromian clinochlore are usually thin, micaceous with a perfect cleavage and hardness 2–2.25. The SG is 2.60–2.64 and the RI for the alpha, beta and gamma rays is 1.571–1.588, 1.571–1.588, 1.576–1.597, biaxial positive or negative with a birefringence of 0.003. Pleochroism is notable, violet to hyacinth-red. Fashioning is very difficult and specimens are rare. The only crystals likely to attract the attention of the lapidary come from chromium ore veins at the Kop Krom (chrome mine) area in the Kop Mountains near Askale, Turkey.