Collection: Epidote

Epidote is a mineral which does not have any particular legends. This mineral was discovered and identified by the mineralogist René Just Haüy (1743 - 1822) in 1801. He gave a scientific description of it in his book Treatise on Mineralogy. He found the first specimens in Isère at Bourg d'Oisans.

The name “epidote” comes from the Greek “epidosis” which means “which has received an increase”. This is because the base of the rhombohedral prism has one side longer than the other.

Epidote belongs to the large group of silicates. This stone contains calcium, aluminum, iron and silicon. This mineral is characteristic of regional and contact metamorphism. For the record, metamorphism is the set of mineralogical and structural transformations undergone by rocks. In fact, it concerns changes in temperature, pressure, nature of fluids and chemical composition. Epidote is found in metamorphic and hydrothermal rocks, including sedimentary rocks such as limestone.

This mineral appears in the form of elongated prismatic crystals, with faces having deep lengthwise striations. These crystals end at the end in the shape of needles or rods. They can also have the appearance of tablets or lamellae. Some of these crystals can reach a length of 35 cm. Epidote is also found in massive, fibrous, radiate, etc. aggregates. It has long been confused with tourmaline.

Different kinds of epidotes are listed, some of which are very rare. For example, tawmanite is a species of epidote rich in chromium and comes from the Tawmaw mines in Burma. On the other hand, withamite is a variety of rocks rich in manganese, then there is also pistachite, a microcrystallized rock of pistachio green color.

Epidote can have different colors such as more or less dark green, yellow-green, brown, gray, light red, black, and more rarely colorless. Green is the most common color of epidote. It has a transparent to opaque appearance, generally translucent. It has a hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale.

Epidote is one of the gems used as a fine stone in jewelry, jewelry or lithotherapy. It is used to make jewelry or is sold in the form of polished stones or crystals. In addition, it has a hardness that allows it to resist shocks. Gem quality crystals are highly prized by collectors.

The main deposits are located in South Africa, Brazil, France, Portugal, etc.

In Lithotherapy, epidote makes it possible to better visualize events, to better analyze them and to better manage them. It helps to properly measure the difficulties encountered in order to overcome them. It is a stone of stability of emotions. It soothes the mind and frees it from fears, anxieties and worries. She learns to make the right choices and to turn to things that feel good.

This stone gives a lot of courage, sometimes to take the plunge and move on. It provides serenity, strength and self-confidence. It encourages self-esteem, providing better self-esteem.

Epidote creates an understanding of certain blockages linked to the past and which prevent us from moving forward. This mineral is excellent for people who have the annoying habit of feeling sorry for themselves. It gives them the strength to react and break out of their lethargy in order to progress. Thus, it wards off states of intense sadness, in order to achieve happiness. This stone also consoles heartbreak and allows you to put things into perspective.

This mineral provides quality relationships with others. It helps control negative words that can lead to conflict. The desire to criticize others is controlled and results in good communication. Thus, relationships with others will be much more fluid, pleasant and respectful.