Charoite (rare)

Item Description

Charoite gets is name from the Chara River in Russia. To the best of my knowledge, the material has only been found in Russia, and forms as a result of the alteration of limestone under intense heat and pressure. The unique alkali-rich nephiline in Charoite gives it the unique purple color. 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 mutlicolor banding and swirling which mixes purple and white streaks, and this stone is a fantastic example of said material. This "Round Cabochon" cut gem is good sized, with excellent color and patterning, and would make a great addition to any rare gem collection, or would serve as a wonderful center stone for a piece of jewelry.