Seraphinite: what it is, where it's from, how to tell it's real
Seraphinite is dark forest green, lit by silvery, feather-like flashes that seem to move under the surface as you turn it. Those feathers are what collectors look for, and why the stone is named after the seraphim, the winged angels.
What it is
Seraphinite is a trade name for a variety of clinochlore, a mineral of the chlorite group. It grows in fine, fibrous and platy layers, and where those layers radiate in feather or fern shapes, they reflect light as silvery chatoyant flashes against the deep green. The more defined and silvery the feathers, the finer the piece. It's a soft stone, polished into cabochons, hearts, palm stones and spheres.
Where it comes from
Seraphinite comes from the Korshunovskoye deposit in the Irkutsk region of eastern Siberia, Russia, near Lake Baikal. That area is the only commercial source of the gem-quality material, and supply depends on what that deposit yields. Because the rough varies so much, cutters orient each piece to show the feathers across the face, and two hearts from the same block can look very different.
How to tell real seraphinite
- Look for the feathers. Real seraphinite shows silvery, fibrous flashes that move when the stone is tilted. Plain green stone with no movement isn't seraphinite.
- Check it's soft. Seraphinite is only around 2 to 4 on the Mohs scale, much softer than jade, aventurine or glass, which are sometimes confused with it.
- Beware of coatings. Some low-grade pieces are waxed or resin-coated to deepen the colour and hide pits. A plastic-like shine or a sticky feel is a clue.
Looking after it
Because it's soft, seraphinite scratches easily. Store it apart from other stones, clean it only with a dry, soft cloth, and keep it away from water and chemicals.
See the seraphinite pieces in the shop.
Questions
- What is seraphinite?
- Seraphinite is a trade name for a green variety of clinochlore, a chlorite mineral, with silvery feather-like flashes.
- Where does seraphinite come from?
- The Korshunovskoye deposit in the Irkutsk region of Siberia, Russia, near Lake Baikal.
- Is seraphinite soft?
- Yes, around 2 to 4 on the Mohs scale. Keep it apart from harder stones and clean it with a dry soft cloth.