STICHTITE   HISTORY, NAME, LOCALITIES:  Stichtite was discovered in Tasmania, Australia, in 1891 and recognized as a new mineral species in 1914.  It is named in honor of Australian mine manager Robert Carl Sticht.  Stichtite is a rare mineral with only 14 known localities worldwide.  Notable sources are in Australia, South Africa, Morocco, New Zealand, Russia, Canada, and the United States (New York).   MINERALOGY, PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCE: Stichtite [basic hydrous magnesium chromium carbonate, Mg₆Cr₂(CO₃)(OH)₁₆·4H₂O], pronounced STICHT-ite, crystallizes in the hexagonal system (trigonal subsystem) usually as crust-like aggregates or radiating micaceous plates in matrix.  It also occurs in massive or fibrous forms, bur rarely as macroscopic crystals.  It has a Mohs hardness of 1.5-2.0, a waxy or greasy luster, and a specific gravity of 2.2.  Its color, which ranges from lavender and lilac to light-violet, pink, and purple, is diagnostic.  Stichtite forms when chromium-rich, serpentine-group rocks undergo low-temperature, long-term metamorphism that alters primary chromium-containing minerals into stichtite.  Stichtite is usually found within a serpentine matrix.   METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES; LORE, USES: Modern metaphysical practitioners believe that stichtite aids in controlling grief and emotional distress and promotes rational thought.  Stichtite-in-serpentine, which offers the unusual contrast of purple stichtite against green serpentine, is a minor gemstone and has been fashioned into cabochons, beads, and small decorative objects.  Stichtite has no technological uses.   COLLECTORS’ PROPERTIES: Stichtite is collected for its rarity, purple colors, and matrix association with green serpentine.     CLINOCHLORE   HISTORY, NAME, LOCALITIES: Clinochlore, pronounced KLINE-oh-klore, has been known since antiquity and was recognized as a mineral species in 1851.  Its name comes from the Greek words klino, meaning “inclined” or “oblique,” alluding to the crystal’s distinctive, tapering, pyramidal terminations, and chlōros, or “green,” after the mineral’s primary color.  Important collecting sites are located in Australia, Italy, France, England, Russia, Greenland, South Africa, Canada, Mexico, and the United States (Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming).   MINERALOGY, PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCE: Clinochlore [basic magnesium aluminum oxysilicate, (Mg,Al)₆(Si,Al)₄O₁₀(OH)₈], a phyllosilicate and member of the chlorite mineral group, crystallizes in the monoclinic system as pseudohexagonal, tabular crystals with distinctive pyramidal terminations; it also occurs in foliated, fibrous, earthy, and massive forms.  Clinochlore has a Mohs hardness of 2.0-2.5, perfect cleavage in one direction, vitreous-to-pearly luster, and a specific gravity of 2.6-2.8.  It is transparent to translucent and usually has a green-to-emerald-green color that is sometimes streaked with white.  Clinochlore occurs in altered igneous rocks, hydrothermal replacement deposits, basaltic cavities, and metamorphic schist and gneiss.   METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES, LORE, USES: According to metaphysical practitioners, clinochlore enhances personal creative expression, reduces stress, provides peace of mind, helps adjusts to higher states of awareness, and aids in recalling dreams.  Massive clinochlore, which is often marketed as “seraphinite,” is fashioned into decorative objects and cut into cabochons for use in jewelry.   COLLECTORS’ INFORMATION: Clinochlore is collected for its emerald-green color.  Composite specimens of clinochlore and garnet-group minerals are especially popular among collectors.