Green/Purple Stichtite Atlantisite Cabochon from Namibia, Africa

Description

Stichtite is a mineral, a carbonate of chromium and magnesium; formula Mg6Cr2CO3(OH)16·4H2O. Its colour ranges from pink through lilac to a rich purple colour. It is formed as an alteration product of chromite containing serpentine. It occurs in association with barbertonite (the hexagonal polymorph of Mg6Cr2CO3(OH)16·4H2O), chromite and antigorite.

Atlantisite is the name given to a powerful stone that combines Stichtite and Serpentine. This crystal is also commonly referred to as Tasmanite, due to some of the very first known pieces coming out of Tasmania. The Atlantisite that comes out of South Africa is designated “Stichtite-Serpentine” but is no different than Tasmanite or Atlantisite. This mineral color ranges from a very pale green to dark ivy green with purple spots of Stichtite throughout. Atlantisite is on the rarer side of gems and is one of the most powerful forms of Serpentine, next to Infinite.