Collection: Epidote

Epidote is a silicate mineral that belongs to the sorosilicate group. Its name comes from the Greek epidosis , meaning "growth" or "increase," referring to the way some crystals appear to "elongate" during their formation.

🧪 Chemical and physical characteristics

• Chemical formula : $\text{Ca}_2(\text{Al}, \text{Fe})_3(\text{SiO}_4)_3(\text{OH})$

• Crystal system : Monoclinic

• Hardness (Mohs scale) : 6 to 7

• Density : Approximately 3.3 to 3.5

• Color : Usually pistachio green, olive green, blackish green; sometimes brownish or yellowish

• Luster : Vitreous

• Transparency : Translucent to opaque (rarely transparent)

• Cleavage : Perfect in one direction

🧭 Origin and deposits

Epidote is formed mainly in:

• Metamorphic rocks (schists, gneisses) particularly in low to medium intensity metamorphism conditions (green schist facies).

• Altered igneous rocks , such as hydrothermalized granite.

• It can also occur in hydrothermal veins .

Notable deposits :

• Alps (France, Switzerland, Italy)

• Norway

• Austria

• Pakistan (known for its beautiful, well-formed crystals)

• United States (California, Alaska)

💎 Use

• Collection : Well-formed epidote crystals are highly prized by mineral collectors.

• Ornamentation : Rarely cut as a gemstone, but sometimes used in artisanal jewelry.

• Geology : It is an important indicator in the study of metamorphic processes.

🌿 Virtues in lithotherapy

• Epidote is believed to promote regeneration , emotional release and enhance motivation .

• It would help to let go of old negative patterns.

• It is also said to amplify energies (positive or negative), making it a stone to be handled with care.