Clinohumite is often confused with hessonite and spessartine garnets. It is also similar to chondrodite, olivine, vesuvianite, and garnet

Clinohumite is found in rocks that have been affected by contact metamorphism and metasomatism, such as limestones, dolomites, marbles, and peridotites. It can also be found in volcanic ejecta, carbonatites, and kimberlites. Clinohumite has been found in Italy, Finland, Scotland, Spain, Russia, Tajikistan, the United States, Canada, and Brazil.

Clinohumite was first discovered in 1876 in stones from Mount Vesuvius. It is named after the mineral humite and its monoclinic crystal structure.