Kämmererite - Encyclopedia

    Class : Silicates
    Subclass : Phyllosilicates
    Crystal system : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : Mg5(Al,Cr)2Si3O10(OH)8
    Rarity : Very rare


Kämmererite is a superb variety of clinochlore, whose sumptuous pink-red to purplish-red color is due to the presence of chromium. Remember that clinochlor is the most widespread mineral of the group of chlorites, common phyllosilicates of magnesium, iron, aluminium, etc... It is the magnesian term of the group, which constitutes a series with the ferriferous term : chamosite. Its name was given in honor of A. A. Kämmerer, mine manager in Russia. It is found in chromite deposits, especially those associated with serpentinized dunites. Kämmererite occurs in small, stocky crystals of pseudohexagonal to pseudorhombohedral appearance. It is a rare mineral appreciated by collectors which, when massive, can constitute interesting ornamental materials for the cutting of cabochons and carved objects.

Kämmererite in the World

The Kop Krom mine, near Erzurum (Turkey) provided exceptional purplish-red crystals up to 2 cm, and the serpentinized dunites of Kraubath an der Mur (Styria, Austria), crystals of 15 mm. Centimetric crystals are also reported from different sites in the Russian Urals.

Kämmererite in France

Kämmererite is reported in certain serpentinized peridotites from Auvergne near Azerat (Haute-Loire) and Champagnat-le-Jeune (Puy-de-Dôme).

Twinning

No twin reported for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fake inventories for this mineral species.



Hardness : 2 to 2.5
Density : 2.64
Fracture : Scaly
Trace : White to pink



TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.571 to 1.599
Birefringence : 0.005 to 0.011
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : Visible
Fluorescence : None


Solubility : Sulfuric acid

Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None