Clinochlore

AKA Seraphinite

Korshunovskoe, near Bratsk, Irkutsk Oblast, Siberia, Russia

(Mg,Fe²⁺)₅Al(Si₃Al)O₁₀(OH)_{8, Monoclinic}

Polished slabs, eggs and hand held items. Slabs like the one on the left we are selling for $30. The high domed hand held piece on the right is also $30. If the pictures do not come through on your email let us know and you can click on………….. to see them on our web site. Some pieces are smaller and some larger. Priced mostly according to size. The ruler in the picture are in cms. Because of the laminar nature of the crystals that make up the material the slabs and polished pieces often have a chatoyancy that customers find attractive.

This material has been known for years in Russia as a curious minor by product of the iron mine at Korshunovskoe. Very few pieces of it ever made its way past the iron curtain to the west. It has since been “discovered” by the new age movement for its meta physical properties which vary according to which metaphysical guru you listen to. It also makes attractive cabochons for jewelry and because the supply is not great, these dual uses keep the price of the material higher than it would otherwise be.

Clinochlore is the most common of the chlorite group minerals and has been found at many localities. It is usually found as a component of rocks, but is know in well formed crystals from a few places. Usually when it is found crystalized, it is found in little blebs of rounded green or olive green crystals a few mm in diameter. Probably the best locality for crystalized clinochlore is the old and much revered Tilly Foster, Iron Mine in New York. In the 18^th and 19^th centuries it produced many fine mineral specimens that are cherished as classics today. This mine has produced the best clinochlore crystals know so far, but now they are rarely seen outside of advanced collections and even a modest specimen can cost over a thousand dollars if you can find one. This new locality in Russia is the only one that has produced good lapidary grade clinochlore. When the mine closes this material will also quickly become a classic.

Concerning the metaphysical properties of this stone, Melody says things like…”can be used to enhance cohesiveness in relationships and to heal on all levers.” ….”helps one to achieve complete independence, yet allows one to still exhibit ”companion-abilit” and diplomacy.” There is more, but if you are really interested you can buy her Love is in the Earth- Updated that we sell for $15

Jewel Tunnel Imports, 13100 Spring St. Baldwin Park, California 626-814-2257 on at jeweltunnel.com