Chlorite group
The chlorites are a group of phyllosilicate minerals. Chlorites can be described by the following four endmembers based on their chemistry via substitution of the following four elements in the silicate lattice; Mg, Fe, Ni, and Mn.
Clinochlore: (Mg5Al)(AlSi3)O10(OH)8
Chamosite: (Fe5Al)(AlSi3)O10(OH)8
Nimite: (Ni5Al)(AlSi3)O10(OH)8
Pennantite: (Mn,Al)6(Si,Al)4O10(OH)8
In addition, zinc, lithium, and calcium species are known. The great range in composition results in considerable variation in physical, optical, and X-ray properties. Similarly, the range of chemical composition allows chlorite group minerals to exist over a wide range of temperature and pressure conditions. For this reason chlorite minerals are ubiquitous minerals within low and medium temperature metamorphic rocks, some igneous rocks, hydrothermal rocks and deeply buried sediments.
The name chlorite is from the Greek chloros (χλωρός), meaning "green", in reference to its color.
Chlorite structure
The typical general formula is: (Mg,Fe)3(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2·(Mg,Fe)3(OH)6. This formula emphasizes the structure of the group.