KAEMMERERITE
the chromium rich variety of the mineral clinochlore

Dims: 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" x 3/4"

Wt: 2.27 oz

Pembegul Mine, Kopdag, Erzincan, Turkey

This Kammererite specimen reminds me very much of erytherite, just as Dave wrote in the general description. Its color is quite similar, being a deep red-violet, and even the host rock seems similar to some specimens that I've seen! There are crystals on the specimen, but one needs a microscope to see them well. On the side opposite the crystals there is a sizable crust of massive Kammererite, again with the red-violet coloration. There seems to be a small amount of a colorless mineral covering part of the crystalline crust-- it may be quartz. There is also evidence of a few veins of the mineral running through the host rock.

Dims: 2.0" x 1.6" x 1.4"(5.1 x 4.1 x 3.6 cm)

Wt: 3.82 oz.(108.4 g)

Kopdag, Erzincan, Turkey

Though many of the 50 or more Kaemmererite crystals on this specimen are damaged, the undamaged ones are quite impressive, with good size and form. Like most specimens of this mineral, these crystals have a deep violet-red color, a pearly luster, and are almost transparent. They occur as steep, trigonal pyramids that are often double-terminated or intergrown. The largest of these crystals measure about 0.2"(5 mm) long by 0.1"(3 mm) diameter, and they are concentrated enough to form a crust over 1 face of the dark gray host rock, which has a nearly metallic luster in some areas. Even with the damaged crystals, it is pretty, and has a lot of intact material.

Dims: 2.4 x 1.6 x 1.4" (6.1 x 4.1 x 3.6 cm)

Wt: 4.17 oz (118.2 g)

Daglari, Ostanatolien, Turkey

A crust made up of both massive and crystalline Kaemmererite rests on the dark gray base rock of this specimen. This crust appears to be in reasonably good condition, showing some obvious damage and a small amount of crushing. The Kaemmererite crystals are in excellent condition and do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in length or diameter. They show excellent monoclinic prismatic form, with sharp edges and clean faces that possess a bright pearly luster. All have a uniform, deep violet coloration with a hint of red and are transparent and moderately clear.

Dims: 1.7 x 1.5 x 1.3" (4.3 x 3.8 x 3.3 cm)

Wt: 1.66 oz (47.2 g)

Daglari, Ostanatolien, Turkey

The dark gray host rock of this specimen is coated and permeated with several veins of crystalline and massive Kaemmererite. These crusts are in good condition, showing a small amount of damage, and contain hundreds of crystals that do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in length or diameter. Most of the crystals are nearly microscopic in size, but all have good monoclinic prismatic form, with well-defined edges and clean faces. These crystals possess the standard deep violet color with a strong red tinge and a bright pearly luster, and are transparent and moderately clear. Over 50% of the surface area of the base rock is covered by these crusts.

Dims: 1.4 x 1.4 x 0.9" (3.6 x 3.6 x 2.3 cm)

Wt: 1.73 oz. (49.3 g)

Daglari, Ostanatolien, Turkey

Hundreds of tiny Kaemmererite crystals rest on the dark gray base of this specimen. These crystals are in fair condition, as many are noticeably crushed, but most are intact and in good condition. While most of these crystals do not exceed 2 mm in length or diameter, one measures nearly 0.2" (5 mm). Their monoclinic prismatic form appears to be good, and all have the classic deep red-violet color and bright pearly luster of their species. The dark gray host rock shows a few noticeable specks of green color and has an almost fibrous appearance from a certain angle.

Dims: 1.5 x 1.3 x 1.0" (3.8 x 3.3 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 0.7 oz. (21 g)

Erzurum, Turkey

The host rock of this thumbnail piece is both coated and marbled with Kaemmererite crusts and veins, respectively. Though the vein material is essentially massive, the crusts are obviously crystalline - two of the crystals are considerably larger than the others, and have dimensions up to 0.2 x 0.2 x 0.2" (5 x 5 x 5 mm). The largest appears to be slightly damaged but still in very good condition, as are several of the smaller crystals on the largest encrustation. Their monoclinic prismatic form is very good and appears to have a psuedo-octagonal habit. All have the classic deep violet-red coloration and vitreous luster, and they are at least dimly transparent. The massive gray host material is expected of this locality.

Dims: 1.6 x 1.5 x 1.4" (4.0 x 3.7 x 3.5 cm)

Wt: 2.3 oz. (66 g)

Erzerum, Turkey

Many tiny Kaemmererite crystals form a crust that coats one face of the gray base of this hand specimen. These crystals are generally in excellent condition but do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in length or diameter. They show excellent monoclinic prismatic form and the standard violet-red color and vitreous luster. The crystals are also transparent and quite clear. A small amount of a dull, pale green powder rests on a few crystals, but I cannot identify it.

Dims:2.4x1.1x1.0" (6.1x2.8x2.5 cm)

Wt: 2.1oz. (60g)

Pembegul Mine, Kopdag, Turkey

One small area on the surface of this specimen is covered with tiny crystals of kaemmererite. Most of these appear to be monoclinic in form, but I noticed what appeared to be a couple of pseudohexagonal plates. The crystals are so small that examination is difficult, even with a loupe. The crystals are a dark lavender in color.

Dims: 2.7x2.4x2.5" (6.9x6.0x6.5 cm)

Wt: 11.6 oz. (329g)

Kop Daglari, Erzurum, Turkey

This large hand specimen is a rock largely coated by several crusts or druzes of deep purple kaemmererite. The best crystals are transparent, well formed, beautifully colored, and measure over 5mm in length (large for kaaemmererite). While most of the rock looks purple due to a coating of the mineral, only 4 or 5 square inches have good crystals. There is also an area where a colorless mineral has intergrown with the kaemmererite, and it appears to be colorless topaz.

Dims: 1.93x1.36x0.67" (4.91x3.44x1.70cm)

Wt: 2.05oz (58.2g)

Kop Krom Mine, Kop Daglari, Erzincan, Anatolia, Turkey

This piece of rock is coated on one side with a crust of kaemmererite, the chromium rich variety of clinochlore. It has a distinct purple color. Most of the crystals are too tiny to examine, even with a loupe, although they are all transparent. The almost fuzzy appearance of the crust is a result of the tiny crystal points roughening the surface. There are some larger, well defined crystals, the largest of which is 2½mm long and has excellent form. There is a dusting of a brown mineral that dulls the color a bit - it is really only visible using a loupe. Note that the black host rock is rather porous, and the cavities are mostly filled with more kaemmererite. In one section a loupe shows stalactitic clusters of tiny kaemmererite crystals.

dims mm=82.27x51.88x21.03

wt g=173.9

Kop Krom Mine, Kop Daglari, Erzincan, Anatolia, Turkey

Two surfaces of this black rock are covered with deep purple crusts and crystals of Kaemmererite (a variety of clinochlore). It shows several crystal habits, mostly a crust, but there are sizable crystals that look like a mica form, and the best crystals are prismatic and very transparent. Unfortunately, most of the crystals are so small that a loupe is needed to appreciate their beauty.