Seraphinite

Seraphinite is a trade name for a particular form of clinochlore, a member of the chlorite group.

(repeating unit)(Mg, Fe³⁺Al(Si₃Al)O₁₀(OH)₈Crystal systemMonoclinicIdentificationColorgreen, white, colourlessMohs scale hardness2–2.5LusterPearly, dull, greasyStreaklight greenDiaphaneitytransparent, translucent to opaqueSpecific gravity2.600–3.000Optical propertiesBiaxial (–)Refractive index1.571–1.597Birefringence0.005–0.011Ultraviolet fluorescenceinert

Seraphinite apparently acquired its name due to its resemblance to feathers due to its chatoyancy. Seraphinite is named after the biblical seraphs or seraphim angels.^[1] With some specimens the resemblance is quite strong, with shorter down-like feathery growths leading into longer "flight feathers"; the resemblance even spurs fanciful marketing phrases like "silver plume seraphinite." Seraphinite is generally dark green to gray in color, has chatoyancy, and has hardness between 2 and 4 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.

Seraphinite is mined in a limited area of eastern Siberia in Russia. Russian mineralogist Nikolay Koksharov (1818-1892 or 1893) is often credited with its discovery. It occurs in the Korshunovskoye iron skarn deposit in the Irkutskaya Oblast of Eastern Siberia.^[2]

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