Clinochlore is one of the more common members of the Chlorite Group of minerals. These minerals are all difficult to differentiate by ordinary means and often the general mineral name chlorite is given to specimens that lack distinguishing characteristics. Clinochlore forms from the metamorphic and hydrothermal alterations of other iron and magnesium silicate minerals. Clinochlore gets its name from the Greek words for inclined and green since its structure is monoclinic and its common color is green.