Geological Properties Of Kammererite

 

Geological Properties of Kammererite

Kammererite is a rare and visually captivating variety of the mineral clinochlore, belonging to the chlorite group of phyllosilicate minerals. It is distinguished by its striking purple to crimson-violet coloration, which sets it apart from the typically green hues of other chlorites. Chemically, Kammererite is a hydrated magnesium iron aluminum silicate, often containing trace amounts of chromium, which gives it its vibrant and alluring color.

 

History

Geological Properties Of Kammererite, was discovered in 1851, named in honor of Russian geologist August Alexander Kammerer, and is found in several locations around the world, including India, where this material originates. It’s often found in a micaceous state, meaning it grows in flat, thing, fragile sheets, and is very hard to tumble or carve 

Kammererite mineral, which is rarely found in the world, is found in chromite deposits as reddish pink or purple-violet colors as transparent or semitransparent. Kammererite is a mineral belonging to the clinochlore group including chromium. The crystals have a transparent-translucent appearance, generally magenta (purple-reddish purple) color and perfect cleavage. The most typical location is the chromite deposit between Kesis (Ercincan-Cayırlı) and Kop (Erzurum) Mountains.

Even though there are many chromitite deposits in Turkey, the most productive chromitite deposits including chromian clinochlore and chromian are present in the eastern Anatolia region. Kammererite (chromian clinochlore), in essence, is one of the rarest clinochlore minerals as a sub-variety of large family of the chlorite minerals. Even though it is the monoclinic IIb-2 polytype, with symmetry C2/m, which is one of the most abundant regular-stacking one-layer chlorites occurring in nature, the crystallization of chromian clinochlore is less abundance. Hence, gem-quality magenta colored kammererite which may be formulized as [Mg₅(Al, Cr, Fe)₂Si₃O₁₀(OH)₈] with reference to the abundance of the main oxides in the XRF bulk analyses, is only found in Turkey worldwide. Therefore, they are called Turkish kammererite. Beside of the mineral kammererite, the minerals uvarovite, magnesite, chromian spinel, chlorite and some garnets are also present in the paragenesis. Geological field observations and data in the region reveal that the kammererite specimens are crystallized as remobilized-origin on a chromitite matrix, deposited in the podiform-type chromitite ore deposits, and surrounded by the peridotitic and harzburgitic ultrabasic rocks. Thus, it can be stated that this rare mineral formation is derived from the secondary components of the hydrothermal alteration of the principle amphibole, pyroxene and biotite minerals in the surrounding peridotitic and harzburgitic (partially serpentinitic) rocks where they are embedded throughout the Northeastern Ophiolitic Belt comprising the Keşiş and Kop Mountains in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. In this study, unique loose Turkish kammererite crystals were the first time investigated as both mineralogically and gemmologically.

Kammererite mineral is one of the clinochlorine members of chlorite group in phyllosilicates. Clinochlore, which is one of the most common members of the chlorite group minerals, can be divided into three sub varieties according to body colors and implicational abundance of the main cations. These are blackish-green or bluish-green colored clinochlore (ferroan clinochlore), yellowish-green or green colored clinochlore (magnesian clinochlore), and magenta colored clinochlore (chromian clinochlore) . In fact, it is well-known that the name clinochlore derived from “clino,” which refers to the inclined optical axes and the Greek “chloros,” for “green,” its most typical color.

 

Formation and Geological Environment

Kammererite forms primarily through metamorphic processes, particularly in serpentinized ultramafic rocks and chromium-rich metamorphic environments. It typically develops in areas where chlorite-bearing schists, serpentinites, or marbles have undergone low- to medium-grade metamorphism.

The mineral often occurs alongside other chromium-bearing minerals such as chromite, magnetite, and serpentine, reflecting its geochemical association with chromium-enriched host rocks. The chromium ions substitute into the clinochlore lattice structure, producing the vivid magenta and plum tones that make Kammererite so prized among collectors and healers alike.

Notably, Kammererite’s delicate crystal formations often appear as transparent to translucent tabular or platy crystals, sometimes clustered or embedded within serpentine or calcite matrices. These formations highlight the mineral’s layered structure, characteristic of the chlorite family.

 

Kammerite Mine’s

Worldwide occurrences of chromian clinochlore (kammererite) in addition to Turkey are as follows: Australia (Coobina chromite mine, Sylvania Station, Meekatharra Shire, Western Australia), Austria (Gulsen, Sommergraben, Lobminggraben, Leoben, Styria), Ethiopia (Tumut River, Sosua Region, Benishangul-Gumaz Province), Finland (Elijarvi Cr Mine, Kemi, Lapland Region), Greece (Nea Roda, Chalkidiki Prefecture Macedonia), Italy (Locana, Orco Valley, Torino Province, Piedmont), Japan (Akaishi Mine, Ehime Prefecture, Shikoku Island), Russia (Poldnevaya village, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Middle Urals), and the United States, (Dunsmuir, Siskiyou Co., California; Cecil Co., Maryland; Green Mountain Mine, Day Book, Yancey Co., NC; Jackson Co., Oregon; Woods Chrome Mine, Texas, Little Britain Township, Lancaster Co., PA).

 

Major Localities

Kammererite was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia, where it remains one of the classic sources for fine specimens. Other significant localities include:

• Turkey (particularly near Kop Krom in Erzurum Province) — producing vibrant, gem-quality crystals.
• Sweden — especially in the Gällivare region.
• Finland, Norway, and India — known for massive and fibrous formations.

Each deposit yields slightly different shades and habits, with Turkish specimens being among the most vivid and translucent.

Scientific and Energetic Insights

Geologically, Kammererite represents the alchemy of metamorphism — where heat, pressure, and trace elements combine to create a mineral of both scientific and aesthetic beauty. Its presence in chromium-rich environments marks it as a mineral of transformation, formed through the Earth’s deep chemical dialogue between rock and element.

Spiritually and energetically, Kammererite is often associated with spiritual ascension, clarity, and higher consciousness. Its brilliant purple hue resonates with the Crown and Third Eye Chakras, supporting intuition, insight, and the connection to higher wisdom. In metaphysical practice, it is said to help integrate spiritual awareness with physical reality — much as it geologically bridges the boundary between earthbound chlorite and the celestial shades of chromium.

 

Physical Properties Of Kammerite

Is a Variety of: Clinochlore

Colors: Red to purplish red, cranberry red.

Hardness: 2-2.5

Fracture: Micaceous

Cleavage: Perfect basal cleavage

Formula: (Mg,Cr)6(AISi3)O10(OH)8 (Chlorite Group).

Crystallography: Monoclinic; crystals hexagonal shape, bounded by steep sided pyramids.

Refractive Index: 1.597-1.600

Birefringence: 0.003

Luminescence: None reported

Luminescence Present: No

Absorption Spectrum: Not diagnostic

Pleochroism: Strong: violet/hyacinth-red.

Optics: a = 1.597; β = 1.598; γ = 1.599-1.600. Biaxial; optic sign variable.

Optic Sign: Biaxial +, Biaxial –

Luster: Vitreous; pearly on cleavages.

Specific Gravity: 2.64

Transparency: Translucent to transparent

Etymology: Named after August Alexander Kämmerer, chief chemist and mining director at St. Petersburg, Russia (1789-1858).

Occurrence: In chromite deposits, associated with clinochlore and uvarovite.

 

At Crystals by Rob

At Crystals by Rob, Kammererite is cherished as one of nature’s most elegant expressions of transformation. Each piece tells the story of metamorphic power — a fusion of Earth’s mineral artistry and cosmic color. Whether displayed for its rare beauty or used in meditation to heighten awareness and energetic balance, Kammererite embodies the perfect harmony of geological depth and spiritual elevation. Our specimens are chosen for their purity, vibrancy, and the unique energy that connects science, art, and the sacred language of crystals.