Chlorite
A guide for the history, meaning, metaphysical uses, purposes, crystal healing, and properties of the calm chlorite
Chlorite can refer to a specific mineral among certain groups or denote the broad collection of chlorite minerals. More specifically, they are clay minerals.
Chlorite has a similar history to chalcedony, but it was less useful in some ways. Unlike chalcedony, chlorite is very soft, making it inferior for the construction of weapons and tools. It was a popular stone of choice for vessels and seals, however. In the near-east, they were “intercultural” and had very detailed carvings. Chlorite vases can litter the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. In Minoan civilization, chlorite was a popular substance for creating seals. This is probably due to the fact that they grew in clay, something used among various cultures.
Scientific Information
As Chlorite technically denotes a group, the properties can vary from stone to stone. Chlorite is not the same as chloride and it is not referring to the compound chlorite. One pretty variety of the stone is prasolite, which is distinct from prasiolite. People often confuse the two in terms of spelling since the difference is just one letter.
To make things worse, both are green stones, but prasiolite is a type of quartz. Except some people get confused further, as there is chlorite in quartz, which gives the quartz stone a green hue, but it is different from prasiolite, which is green due to natural reasons or artificial reasons.
When it's artificially heated to be green, the source is amethyst, which, in turn, only adds more confusion to the whole heat-treated amethyst debacle since most people think that amethyst becomes citrine when it's heated, but the reality is that it's more complicated than that.
Prasolite and Prasiolite have the root "praseo," which refers to the green hue of the stone.
Prasiolite has a chemical composition of SiO2 (Source: https://www.mindat.org/min-3337.html). Prasiolite is often given a color treatment, and a lot of these crystals on the market have been altered from amethyst.
It is also a common misconception that prasiolite is exclusive to Brazil. This is false, as the stone was discovered in Poland and has been mined in Canada.
(There is also praseolite, because the gem community wants to confuse everyone).
Misspellings: Clorite
Chlorite Pronunciation: /klor-aɪt/ (clor-ite).
What is Chlorite? Technically, chlorite is group or collection of many minerals. Some use the term to denote a specific mineral, however.
Does Chlorite have Chlorine? No. Chlorite does not have any Chlorine.
What is Chlorite used for? Chlorite does not have many uses. We could not find any uses of importance outside of gemstone collectors thinking it is a nice stone.
Hardness: Generally, 2 - 2½
Metaphysical Properties
Historically, chlorite was more popular for decorative use. Some believe that chlorite is a great stone for spirituality, cleansing, and uplifting energy. Thus, the chlorite properties are said to be:
- Stone of Invigoration
- Stone for Aligning Chakras
- Stone for Severing Bad Habits
- Stone for Self-Help
The Wrap Up
Chlorite used to be an uncommon but still appreciated choice for craft in the past. This is likely incidental in the sense that they are commonly found with clay. In either case, this stone could see a return in popularity!
Sources:
Aubet, Maria Eugenia. Commerce and Colonization in the Ancient Near East. United Kingdom, Cambridge University Press, 2013.
Anderson, Emily S. K.. Seals, Craft, and Community in Bronze Age Crete. United States, Cambridge University Press, 2016.
Warren, Peter. Minoan stone vases. London, Cambridge University Press, 1969.
https://www.etymonline.com/word/chlorine?ref=etymonline_crossreference
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