Charoite

Other Silicates & Gemstones

Charoite is a rare, complex hydrated silicate and the essential mineral in the rock charoitite. It occurs as fibrous, massive material with violet-to-lilac color, silky to pearly luster and distinctive swirling patterns.

Identity

Material or variety: Charoite
Scientific or material identity: Charoite
Classification: Natural mineral or mineral variety
Composition or formula: Complex hydrated potassium calcium silicate
Crystal system or structure: Monoclinic
Geological or manufacturing origin: Can form in more than one geological environment, or combines several materials.
Mohs hardness: 5 to 6

Origins

Russia

Appearance & optical properties

violet charoite with swirling lilac and black fibrous patterns.

History & discovery

The mineral was reportedly found in the 1940s near the Chara River area of eastern Siberia. Its name was published in 1976, approved by the International Mineralogical Association in 1977, and introduced to gemologists in a detailed 1978 description.

Uses & care

Common uses: Charoite-rich rock is fashioned into cabochons, beads, bowls, vases and other carvings that display its fibrous purple patterns.
Handling and cleaning: Clean with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Its moderate hardness and good cleavage call for protection from scratches, blows, steam and ultrasonic cleaning.

Jewellery

6 pieces of Charoite jewellery. Learners earn each one in DigMyGem by learning words; until then it shows as a silhouette.

Murun Diadem
Tiara
A gold tiara from the workshops of Yakutia, its climbing arches set with polished lilac cabochons of charoite. The stone's silky waves are likened to the violet aurora over the Chara River.
Siberian Twilight Ring
Ring
A white-gold ring whose broad shank frames a domed charoite cabochon the colour of a winter dusk. It is a favourite of collectors of Russian stone.
Violet Silk Necklace
Necklace
A graduated necklace of pear-shaped charoite drops linked by fine gold chain, worn so the stones rest like folds of violet silk. Each cabochon is polished to a soft sheen rather than faceted.
Chara River Brooch
Brooch
A spray brooch of gold leaves curling around a round charoite cabochon, meant to recall the reeds along a Siberian river. The purple stone is unfaceted and faintly translucent.
Lilac Swirl Bangle
Bracelet
An imagined silver bangle inlaid with charoite, whose lilac and violet fibres swirl like stirred paint, flecked here and there with black.
Siberian Violet Earrings
Earrings
An imagined pair of long gold earrings with drops of charoite, a violet stone with swirling fibres found only in Siberia.