| Charoite from Russia |
| SpiritRock Shop |
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ABOUT CHAROITE:
This is one of the worlds rarest, and prettiest, gem minerals.
The Charoite deposit “Sirenevyi Kamen” has only been known for less than 30 years, and this is the only location
in the world where this material was ever found. The region in which Charoite was discovered is rather difficult to
reach. It is located in the Murun Mountains in Yakutia, Russia. Charoite was found and explored by Russian
geologists Vera P. Rogova and Yuri G. Rogova in the late 1950s. In 1978 the name “Charoite” was confirmed by
the Commission on New Mineral Species.
Charoite has a glorious purple color with the unique pattern of swirls, feathers and needles. It may contain patches
or stars of black (Aegerine), orange (Tinaksite) and also transparent crystals (Microcline Feldspar). The value of
Charoite increases with the purity, density and brilliance of the purple color. Pure purple specimens are the most
valuable and rare. This material is actually a silicate of potassium, calcium and sodium.
Charoite is a rare mineral, named for the Chara River. It is found where a syenite massif has intruded into and
altered limestone deposits. Charoite is strong, translucent lavender to purple in color, reminding some of a granite or
marble with its pearly, swirling luster. However, it is a discrete mineral rather than a rock. Charoite is strictly massive
in nature, and fractures are conchoidal. It has an unusual swirling, fibrous appearance, sometimes chatoyant, and that,
along with its intense color, sometimes of a "grape" nature, can lead many to believe at first that it is synthetic or
enhanced artificially. It is said to be opaque and unattractive when found in the field, a fact that may have contributed
to its late recognition.
Charoite is used as an ornamental stone and sometimes a gemstone, generally as cabochons set into pendants.
Russia has fairly strict prohibitions on the exportation of Charoite. Generally, Charoite is permitted to be exported
only after the stone has been “worked”, for example, into figurines or other type ornaments. It is therefore difficult to
procure Charoite rough specimens.
| Excellent chatoyant face and bottom cut nodule end piece. A stunning 0.14lb (64g) specimen that measures 2.1" (54mm) wide, up to 1.8" (46mm) high and depth from 0.1" (3mm) to 0.7"(19mm) Beautiful swirl patterns in a very unique collector piece. Back surface is natural uncut and unpolished. Cut from some of Russia's finest! This specimen came from St. Petersburg, Russia |
| Rare 2.1" (54mm) polished Charoite Sphere on cut stone stand from Russia This Unique 0.48 lb (218g) sphere was procured from Imperial Antiques and Art, a Russian antique and art store. The sphere was part of an old Russian Estate. We are including the handmade stone stand that came with the sphere. This is old stock with influence of of black (Aegerine), orange (Tinaksite) and also transparent crystals (Microcline Feldspar). This is a classic well defined specimen! |
| Item # CHAR11090071 Charoite Sphere on cut stone stand from Russia $145.00 |
| Item # CHAR11090055 Deep Swirl Purple Charoite hand cut Heart $74.00 |
| Beautiful purple heart made of rare stone named charoite! Origin: Charo River, Russia. Dimensions: 1.7" long x 1.3" high x 0.6" thick (43 x 32 x 14mm). Weight: 1 oz (28 grams). Excellent Chatoyant swirls with lots of character! This specimen obtained from Maria Norikova, St. Petersburg, Russia (Russian Legacy) |
| Item # CHAR11090050 Deep Purple Charoite Nodule polished end cut $67.00 |
| Chatoyant PURPLE Charoite Gemstone Specimen Slabs "Yes, the purple color in this stone is really that intense - and it is truly all natural. If anything the purple is more intense in person than the photo can show! This is one of the world’s rarest, and prettiest, gem minerals. The best Charoite pieces are highly chatoyant (like this one) and have a deep, rich violet color that is unmatched by any other precious mineral. This stunning slab is accented by a vein of jet that runs right through the edge of the stone providing a striking display specimen. The purple color in this stone is not treated in any way - it's completely natural. The wavy pattern you see in the face is highly chatoyant (like tiger eye) and light appears to dance across the surface when you move it. Charoite can come in numerous shades of purple, varying chatoyance and different inclusions, all of which affect the value. These pieces have the richest, darkest purple we have seen in any specimen of this stone - they are truly top grade gem quality slabs. This stone has always been highly prized as a gemstone and as such I've never been able to afford it as a specimen despite its obvious beauty and unique eye appeal. I'd even referred to this pretty purple stone as "unobtainium" - until this year. While waiting for one of my favorite petrified wood importers to open up I struck up a conversation with some Russians that were still unpacking their booths. By chance a local friend from Oregon stopped by and began sorting through one of only two boxes of small slabs. I learned that the reason we don't see rough material is that Russia, like other countries, doesn't want the raw material sent out of the country, insisting that labor be employed locally to work the stone before export. This means that most of the material is cut for jewelry before it ever leaves, making slabs like this a rare find indeed. The even better news for collectors is that they lowered their prices for the material this year in the face of a weaker global economy which helped bring the pieces into the reach of working collectors like myself. I'm certain it's a temporary phenomenon while global jewelry sales are weak, but I couldn't pass up the chance to finally add some of this gorgeous gemstone to my collection and of course I picked up some extra to share." |
| A Note from our supplier on these Extremely Rare Charoite Slabs... |
| Item # CHAR03105465 Chatoyant Purple Charoite Gemstone Polished Slab $129.00 |
| This slab is polished on all sides and edges! This specimen measures about 2.50" x 1.77" wide and is cut 0.23" thick. Weight is about 0.10 lbs. Definitely some of the finest purple we have ever seen in any stone. A great specimen for any collection! |
| Item # CHAR03106065 Chatoyant Purple Charoite Gemstone Polished Slab $139.00 |
| This slab is polished on all sides and edges! This specimen measures about 3" x 1.84" wide and is cut 0.26" thick. Weight is about 0.12 lbs. Definitely some of the finest purple we have ever seen in any stone. A great specimen for any collection! |
| Item # CHAR03106066 Chatoyant Purple Charoite Gemstone Polished Slab $135.00 |
| This slab is polished on all sides and edges! This specimen measures about 2.50" x 1.75" wide and is cut 0.24" thick. Weight is about 0.10 lbs. Definitely some of the finest purple we have ever seen in any stone. A great specimen for any collection! |
| Excellent Feathering and Chatoyance! |
| Excellent Feathering and Chatoyance! |
| Excellent Feathering and Chatoyance! |