Frequently asked questions

• What gives seraphinite its silvery feathered pattern?

  Seraphinite is a gem variety of clinochlore, a member of the chlorite mineral group. The silvery-white chatoyant 'feathers' or 'wings' running through the deep green base are fibrous chlorite inclusions oriented along the rock's growth structure. When the cabbing or bead-cutting plane intersects those fibers correctly, light reflects off them in a soft silky shimmer. The pattern is unique to each piece, so expect strand-to-strand variation in how prominent the feathering reads. Material from the Korshunovskoye deposit in Eastern Siberia is the source most beadcutters work with.
• How fragile is seraphinite, and what jewelry suits it?

  Seraphinite sits at Mohs 2–2.5, on par with gypsum — soft enough to scratch with a fingernail. That rules out rings and bracelets that take daily abrasion. It performs best in earrings, pendants, brooches, and necklaces where the beads aren't rubbing against hard surfaces or other stones. If you do string it into a bracelet, pair with softer spacer materials (silk knots, leather, matte metal) rather than harder beads like quartz or agate that will scuff the surface. The chatoyant figure lives in the top polish layer; once that's worn, the shimmer dulls.
• Is seraphinite treated or dyed?

  Seraphinite from the Russian source is typically sold natural — the green color and silvery chlorite figure are inherent to the material, so dye is uncommon. Some cutters apply a wax or resin surface coat to stabilize the polish and protect the soft surface during drilling and stringing, which is normal for chlorite-group stones at this hardness. Any treatment should be disclosed — ask before buying if it isn't specified. Avoid solvents and harsh cleaners that could strip a wax finish.
• How should I clean and store finished seraphinite pieces?

  Wipe with a soft dry cloth only. Skip ultrasonic cleaners, steam, jewelry dips, and prolonged soaking — water can dull the polish and any surface wax, and vibration can fracture along the chlorite layering. Store seraphinite separately from harder stones (quartz, beryl, corundum, even feldspars) in a soft pouch or lined compartment so nothing scratches across the chatoyant face. Remind retail clients to put pieces on last after lotion, perfume, and hairspray, and to take them off before swimming, showering, or sleeping.
• What stones get confused with seraphinite, and how do I tell them apart?

  In the bead trade seraphinite gets mixed up with generic chlorite, serpentine, mica-bearing aventurine, and occasionally charoite. The tell is the silvery feathered chatoyancy on a dark forest-to-olive green base — serpentine tends toward a uniform waxy green without the silky fibrous figure, aventurine shows scattered pinpoint sparkle from mica rather than oriented bands, and charoite runs purple with a swirled fibrous pattern. True seraphinite from Eastern Siberia has a distinct directional shimmer that shifts as the bead rotates under light. If a 'seraphinite' bead is hard, vivid, and uniformly green, it's likely something else.