Seraphinite is a gem variety of clinochlore, a chlorite mineral, found in the Korshunovskoye mine region near Lake Baikal in Siberia. Its deep forest green is swept through with silvery, feather-like fibres that shimmer as the stone moves, and those angelic plumes inspired the name, after the seraphim. The chatoyant feathers are mica-like fibres reflecting light. It is a genuinely Russian speciality, and fine, strongly feathered material is becoming harder to source.
Beauty comes with fragility here: seraphinite is only about 2 to 4 on the Mohs scale, among the softest stones set in jewellery. It should live in pendants, earrings and brooches, never daily rings, and it should be stored alone in a soft pouch. It is cut exclusively as cabochons and beads to show the feathering. Keep it away from water soaking, chemicals and heat, and clean it with nothing more than a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth.
Charoite is another Siberian gemstone, and nephrite matches its deep forest green with far more toughness.
