metamorphic
Charoite
Charoite - K(Ca,Na)2Si4O10(OH,F)·H2O
Hardness: 5 to 6 on Mohs scale; Color: Lavender to deep violet with pearly/silky white or tan swirls; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Good in three directions; Specific gravity: 2.54 - 2.58.
- Hardness
- 5 to 6 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 to 6 on Mohs scale; Color: Lavender to deep violet with pearly/silky white or tan swirls; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Good in three directions; Specific gravity: 2.54 - 2.58.
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism where alkali syenite intrusions interacted with limestone deposits. These formations are generally associated with the Proterozoic or Paleozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as an ornamental stone for carvings, cabochons for jewelry (beads, pendants), and as a high-end decorative building material in luxury interiors.
Geological facts
Charoite is one of the rarest minerals on Earth as it is found in only one location globally: the Chary River area in the Sakha Republic, Siberia, Russia. It was first discovered in the 1940s but not scientifically described until 1978.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its unique chatoyant (shimmering) violet swirls and presence of black aegirine or orange tinaksite. To collect, one must travel to the Murun Massif in Siberia. Collectors look for intense purple saturation and chatoyancy.
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