
Clinozoisite Locality :Deposite topotype - Gösleswand (Goslerwand), Ströden, Prägraten, Virgen valley, East Tyrol, Tyrol, Austria Size : 4.6x4.1 cm — Photo: Didier Descouens · CC BY 4.0
Clinozoisite
A calcium-aluminium sorosilicate of the epidote group — the iron-free end-member sometimes called aluminium epidote.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Clinozoisite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula Ca₂Al₃[Si₂O₇][SiO₄]O(OH).
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/m). It is a member of the Clinozoisite, Epidote structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 6.5–7; specific gravity 3.21–3.38; typically green or colorless or pink or yellow; white streak; vitreous luster; refractive index 1.719; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Czo, IMA status: approved, named in 1896.
is typically found in low- to medium-grade regionally metamorphosed igneous and sedimentary rocks, as well as in contact metamorphosed calcium-rich sediments; an alteration product of plagioclase feldspars (saussuritization).
It is found associated with Amphiboles, plagioclase, quartz.
The name refers to its monoclinic crystallography and relation to zoisite.
Collections: Collector Favorites.