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

Seraphinite
Seraphinite specimen
General
CategorySeraphinite mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
(Mg, Fe3+Al(Si3Al)O10(OH)8
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Identification
Colorgreen, white, colourless
Mohs scale hardness2–2.5
LusterPearly, dull, greasy
Streaklight green
Diaphaneitytransparent, translucent to opaque
Specific gravity2.600–3.000
Optical propertiesBiaxial (–)
Refractive index1.571–1.597
Birefringence0.005–0.011
Ultraviolet 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]

References

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