Item# Seraphinite

Scientific Name: Clinochlore

Group: Silicates

Chemical composition: H8Mg5Al2Si3O18

Colors: Dark green with silver sparkle from mica inclusions.

Hardness: 2 to 2.5

Formation: Monoclinic crystal, Pseudohexagonal tabula crystals with pyramid terminations

Principal Sources: Russia

Special Notes: Seraphinite is named due to its resemblance to feathers, such as one might find on a bird's wing. With some specimens the resemblance is quite strong, with shorter down-like feathery growths leading into longer "flight feathers." The word Seraph is from Isaiah 6 in the Hebrew Testament, and refers to winged angelic beings in service of God. Seraphinite is generally dark green to gray in color, and often has chatoyancy.