Stichtite pebble on serpentine Peru A

In 1910, stichtite was described by mineralogist William Frederick Petterd (1849-1910) who named it in honor of Australian Robert C. Sicht (1857-1922). Mr. Sicht was the manager of the Mount Lyelle Mining and Railway Company, a mining company in Tasmania. From 1893 to 1994, this company, more commonly known as Mount Lyell, was the main copper mining company on the west coast, based in Queenstown, Tasmania. Stichtite was discovered during the exploitation of this mine.

Stichtite is a mineral species of the carbonate group and the hydrated carbonate subgroup, showing traces of iron. It is a hydroxyl carbonate (with hydrated magnesium and copper) belonging to the hydrotalcite group. This stone is purple or lilac in color, with opaque waxy layers, occurring in aggregates of scaly or micaceous fibers. It appears in serpentine rocks, in which case it is called stichtite on serpentine, also known as atlantisite or tasmanite.

The discovery of stichtite is extremely recent, and there are no legends or myths concerning it. Furthermore, this stone is very fragile. Indeed, stichtite has a hardness of 1 to 3 on the Mohs scale. Moreover, it is very friable. For comparison, diamond has the highest hardness, 10 on the same scale. Furthermore, it has a pearly, resinous, and greasy luster.

Stichtite is of metamorphic origin. Metamorphic rocks are formed during the solid-state transformation of sedimentary, magmatic, or metamorphic rocks. These transformations occur over a long period due to changes in pressure, temperature, or water content.

The main deposits are found in Australia, Brazil, and Canada.

Stichtite is a stone of appeasement. It helps to combat buried fears, anxieties, and sorrows. It provides the necessary comfort during the loss of a loved one, whether due to death or a breakup. It gives the strength to put things into perspective and to mourn this loss.

In cases of blockages related to past traumas, stichtite facilitates their understanding and resolution. It thus gives the strength to move forward, and sometimes even to start over from scratch. It provides the solution and the way to get rid of all suffering. It works on accumulated memories and guilt.

Stichtite frees from material possessions. Its wearer is no longer obsessed with acquiring things and refocuses on the well-being of the spirit. For example, they learn to reconnect with nature and its elements. They manage to recharge by contact with trees or the earth. They become calmer and more serene.

This serenity promotes their openness to others, their desire to know or help people. They will develop empathy, compassion, and understanding. They enjoy listening to and helping others. They become more approachable and more sincere.