Collection: Smaragdit

Smaragdite is a rare mineral belonging to the amphibole group. It is an obsolete or informal name that was used primarily to describe certain green varieties of amphiboles , notably those rich in glaucophane or tremolite / actinolite , found in high-pressure metamorphic rocks, such as eclogites .

Here's a more detailed look:

🟢 Characteristics of smaragdite

• Color : Emerald green (hence its name, derived from smaragdos , which means emerald in Greek).

• Composition : A complex mixture of aluminum, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and iron silicates. It is often associated with minerals such as glaucophane , tremolite , actinolite , and sometimes jadeite .

• Appearance : Fibrous or lamellar, sometimes with a silky sheen.

• Origin : Resulting from the transformation (metamorphism) of mafic rocks (rich in iron and magnesium) under high pressure and moderate temperature — typically in subduction zones.

🌍 Geological environment

• Smaragdite is found in eclogites , metamorphic rocks that form deep underground, often in ancient mountain ranges .

• It is typical of high-pressure metamorphic terrains , such as those found in the Alps, parts of West Africa, and Norway.

💎 Beware of confusion!

Smaragdite is not a gemstone , contrary to what its name might suggest (because of the word "emerald").

• It should not be confused with emerald , a variety of green beryl used in jewelry.

• The term "smaragdite" is mainly used in a geological or petrographic context , rarely in the gem trade.