Seraphinite is a rare and ethereal variety of clinochlore, a magnesium iron aluminum silicate mineral, renowned for its deep forest green color and distinctive silvery-white feathery inclusions that create an angelic, wing-like appearance. This captivating gemstone is found exclusively in the Lake Baikal region of Siberia, Russia, making it one of the world's most geographically limited gemstones. The shimmering chatoyant effect created by its internal fibrous structure gives seraphinite an otherworldly beauty that has made it highly sought after by collectors and spiritual practitioners alike.
Specifications:
- Color range: Deep forest green to dark emerald green with silvery-white to pale green feathery inclusions and chatoyant shimmer
- Hardness: 2 to 2.5 on Mohs scale
- Origin: Exclusively from the Lake Baikal region of Siberia, Russia
- Sizes: Typically available from 10mm cabochons to large 40mm+ specimens; beads commonly range from 6mm to 20mm
- Shapes: Primarily oval and round cabochons, polished slabs, tumbled stones, and spheres; rarely faceted due to softness
- Luster: Silky to pearlescent with distinctive chatoyancy that creates moving light bands
- Transparency: Translucent to opaque with internal light play from fibrous inclusions
- Rarity: Extremely rare due to single-source location and limited mining accessibility
