Description
The mineral clinohumite is a fluorine-containing magnesium-iron silicate with the chemical formula (Mg,Fe2+)9(SiO4)4(F,OH)2. The mineral belongs to the nesosilicates. The transparent to translucent white, yellow, dark orange, or (red)brown clinohumite has a vitreous luster, a white streak color, and poor cleavage along the crystal plane [001]. The crystal system is monoclinic. Humite has an average density of 3.26, a hardness of 6, and is not radioactive. Like humite, clinohumite is named after the English art and mineral collector Abraham Hume (1749–1838). The prefix clino denotes the monoclinic variety of humite. Clinohumite is a mineral that occurs together with humite. The type locality is Monte Somma, Vesuvius, Italy.
