Stichtite

Stichtite – a purple chromium carbonate from Tasmania, the stone of compassion, self-love and forgiveness

Stichtite is a rare magnesium chromium carbonate with the formula Mg6Cr2(CO3)(OH)16·4H2O and a hardness of only 1.5–2 Mohs – an exceptionally soft mineral, softer than a fingernail. Its characteristic purple to violet color is caused by an admixture of trivalent chromium (Cr3+). Stichtite occurs almost exclusively in green serpentine rock (chrysotile, antigorite) – the combination of purple stichtite and a green serpentine matrix is so typical and aesthetically unique that it has its own trade name: "atlantisite" or "tasmanite". It was described in 1910 from Dundas (Mount Dundas) in Tasmania and named after Robert Carl Sticht (1856–1922), manager of the Mount Lyell mine in Queenstown, Tasmania. The second most important deposit in the world is Barberton, South Africa. In esoterica, stichtite is called "the stone of compassion, self-love and forgiveness" , with its primary domain in the heart chakra (Anahata).

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In our range you will find stichtite in the form of stichtite bracelets, tumbled stichtite and stichtite pendants.

Stichtite and atlantisite – what is what

Stichtite itself: a purple to violet mineral (magnesium chromium carbonate); very soft (1.5–2 Mohs); always occurs within green serpentine rock
Serpentine: a green rock (chrysotile or antigorite); hardness 3–5 Mohs; acts as the natural matrix for small stichtite crystals
Atlantisite (tasmanite): a trade name for the natural combination of purple stichtite + green serpentine rock in one stone; this combination is aesthetically very attractive and is the most commonly sold form of stichtite; not all sellers use the name "atlantisite"
Color of the combination: purple and green side by side in one stone – that is why the stone is often described as "purple-green"; it is important to know that these are two different components, not one mineral of two colors

Name and localities of stichtite

Tasmania, Australia (Dundas, Mount Dundas): the type locality; stichtite was first found and scientifically described here in 1910 by the mineralogist W. F. Petterd; today Tasmania is still the world's main source of quality stichtite suitable for jewelry and esoterica
Named after R. C. Sticht: Robert Carl Sticht (1856–1922) was an American metallurgist and manager of the Mount Lyell mine in Queenstown, who came to Tasmania to run the copper mines; in recognition of his services to the development of Tasmanian industry, this mineral was named after him
Barberton, South Africa: the second deposit in the world; South African stichtite is more readily available on the market; the combination with serpentine is sold as atlantisite
Canada (Québec, British Columbia): smaller deposits

• Esoteric properties of stichtite

In esoterica, stichtite is called "the stone of compassion, self-love and forgiveness". The purple color of stichtite in a green serpentine matrix esoterically symbolizes the connection of heart energy (green) with spiritual compassion (purple). It is traditionally credited with:

Self-love and compassion – its primary energy; stichtite as a guide to accepting oneself and others
Forgiveness of old grievances – releasing emotional blocks from the past
Calming the mind and emotions – a gentle stabilizing energy
Support during life changes – a guide through difficult periods
Protection during spiritual work
Strengthening intuition
Connecting the heart and crown chakras – the green serpentine component for grounding + purple stichtite spirituality

Esoteric tradition describes effects on a spiritual level. Stichtite is not a medicinal product and does not replace medical care.

Stichtite and the chakras

4th, heart chakra (Anahata) – primary; love, compassion, forgiveness, self-acceptance
6th, third eye (Ajna) – the purple component; intuition, spiritual perception
1st, root chakra (Muladhara) – the green serpentine component; grounding and stability

• Which zodiac signs it suits

Virgo (23 Aug – 22 Sep) – primary; self-love, acceptance, support during transition and change
Libra (23 Sep – 23 Oct) – compassion, harmony in relationships, forgiveness
Pisces (21 Feb – 20 Mar) – emotional depth, intuition, compassion for others

• Caring for stichtite

Hardness 1.5–2 Mohs: one of the softest minerals used in jewelry; it can be scratched with a fingernail! Extremely careful handling is necessary
Not suitable for everyday wear as rings: because of its extreme softness it scratches easily; better as pendants or cabochons in a protective silver setting
Cleaning: only a dry soft cloth or small brush; NEVER mechanical cleaning; NEVER ultrasonic
Water: brief contact does no harm, but avoid prolonged exposure to water
Energy cleansing: sage smudging; a selenite plate
Charging: moonlight; contact with nature
Storage: in a soft pouch, separately and protected from other materials; avoid any rubbing contact

• Frequently asked questions about stichtite

What is atlantisite and how does it differ from stichtite?+

Atlantisite (also "tasmanite") is a trade name for the natural combination of purple stichtite and green serpentine rock in one stone – it is not a separate mineral but an aesthetically attractive intergrowth of two different materials: purple stichtite, Mg6Cr2(CO3)(OH)16·4H2O, and green serpentine rock. Stichtite itself is purely purple; the green color always comes from the serpentine in which stichtite naturally grows.

Atlantisite comes primarily from Tasmania and South Africa (Barberton). In esoteric tradition, atlantisite is valued for connecting the green heart energy of serpentine with the purple spiritual energy of stichtite.

Who was stichtite named after?+

Stichtite was named after Robert Carl Sticht (1856–1922), an American metallurgist and manager of the Mount Lyell mine in Queenstown, Tasmania, who came to Australia to run the copper mines and contributed significantly to the development of Tasmanian mining. The mineral was scientifically described in 1910 from the type locality of Mount Dundas in Tasmania.

He is a relatively little-known figure, yet a mineralogically interesting mineral was named after him – as with zoisite (after Sigmund Zois) or sugilite (after Ken-ichi Sugi), this was a way for the mineralogical community to honor its patrons and pioneers.

What are the esoteric properties of stichtite?+

In esoteric tradition, stichtite is "the stone of compassion, self-love and forgiveness" – it works primarily on the heart chakra (Anahata) and is a popular stone for those going through difficult life changes or seeking a path to forgiveness. The purple component of stichtite secondarily resonates with the third eye for intuition, the green serpentine component with the root chakra for grounding.

Stichtite is not a medicinal product and does not replace medical care.

Why is stichtite so soft and how can it be protected?+

With a hardness of just 1.5–2 Mohs, stichtite is extremely soft – softer than a fingernail (hardness 2.5 Mohs), so it can be scratched simply by touching it with a nail. This low hardness is due to the structure of a carbonate mineral with hydroxyl groups. For jewelry, it is therefore best suited to pendants or cabochons protected by a silver setting; as rings or bracelets in direct contact with harder surfaces, it will easily get scratched.

Clean it only with a dry soft cloth or small brush; never mechanically or ultrasonically. Store it in a soft pouch completely separate from other stones.

For stichtite in all forms: stichtite bracelets, tumbled stichtite, stichtite pendants. For visually related stones (purple or green): serpentine (the green component), sugilite (purple, heart chakra). For stones of compassion and forgiveness: rose quartz or morganite. For rare Australian stones: mookaite. For all stones: stones from A to Z.