CHLORITE
Specimen cho-2
$ 30.00Dims: 2.8 x 1.4 x 1.1" (7.1 x 3.6 x 2.8 cm)
Wt: 2.05 oz. (58.3 g)
Eden Mills, Lamoille County, Vermont, U.S.A.
One of the few specimens that I have seen from the northeastern U.S. state of Vermont, this specimen consists of many small Chlorite blades that fill a few seams in a dark green host rock. I cannot be sure, but I believe that they are made up of clinochlore, the most common member of the chlorite group. Their limited growth space and close proximity to each other keep them from exceeding 0.1" (3 mm) in any dimension of size, but also protect them. However, several of the most exposed blades are damaged to a degree. Their monoclinic prismatic form is also likely warped due to the growth restrictions, but its crystalline nature is definite. All have a very deep green coloration that approaches black, and show a dim translucence around their edges. The dark green host rock, apart from its color, looks a lot like quartzite.