Charoite (rare)

Item Description

Charoite is one of the more unique and distinctive gems/minerals you'll find. It's not a rock type, nor a variety, but rather a complex inosilicate species, first reported from near the Chara River in Eastern Siberia, Russia, which is where the species gets its name. To the best of my knowledge, crystallized specimens are virtually non-existent, but the durability and beautiful color of the material make it a very desirable and valuable stone in the lapidary world. The vivid purple color seen in the material is due to manganese content, while the manganese deficient Charoite will have more of a grey-white hue. These stones are almost always opaque, but the color is what draws collectors. This material is relatively new to the market as it was only introduced to the west in 1978. Typically, Charoite has multicolor banding and swirling which mixes purple and white streaks, and this stone is a great example of said material. The stone is actually NOT completely opaque, as the edges will actually pass a bit of light when the stone is backlit. A fine, rare and colorful gem for any collection.