Charoite from Russia

Charoite from Russia

Charoite 001

This is one of the worlds rarest, and prettiest, gem minerals.

Charoite deposit called “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.

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".  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.

Charoite from Russia
Charoite from Russia
Charoite from Russia Charoite from Russia
Item # CHAR11090055

Deep Swirl Purple Charoite hand cut Heart

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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)

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Item # 2CHAR02224557

Chatoyant Purple Gem Grade Charoite Gemstone XL Polished Face Slab

$176.00

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Excellent Feathering and Chatoyance!

This is an exquisite XL polished slab!

This is a premium top quality Charoite slab! Photos taken outdoors, showing feathering, swirls and chatoyance. This slab will produce many fine cabochons or will make an excellent polished slab display specimen! This slab is face polished on one side and matte finished on reverse and edges. This slab has touches of black aegerine, orange tinkasite and Feldspar.

This specimen measures 3.26 x 2.69" (8.3 x 6.8cm) and is 0.259" (6.59mm) thick (1/4") and weighs 3.52 oz or 0.22 lb (100g)

Definitely some of the finest purple we have ever seen in any stone. A special specimen for any collection!

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Item # CHAR11210228x961

Chatoyant Purple Gem Grade Charoite Gemstone Polished Slab

$169.00

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Excellent Feathering and Chatoyance!

This slab is polished on all sides and edges!

This specimen measures 3.25 x 1.66 x 0.27" (82.7 x 42.3 x 6.8mm) and weighs 1.74 oz or 0.10 lb (49.5g).

What a stunning specimen of Charoite! This is a rare super high gemstone quality we were able to obtain. The market is climbing rapidly in pricing of this rare and amazing gem! Swirling patterns offset with natural beautiful deep and light purple with contrasting light microcline feldspar. Excellent chatoyant feathers! Charoite definitely has some of the finest purple patterns seen in any stone. A great specimen for any collection!

 

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Item # 3CHAR02224587

Chatoyant Purple Gem Grade Charoite Gemstone Polished Slab

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Excellent Feathering and Chatoyance!

This is an exquisite XL polished "unobtainium" slab!

This is a premium top quality Charoite slab! Photos taken outdoors, showing feathering, swirls and chatoyance. This is an excellent polished slab display specimen! This slab is face polished on one side and matte finished on reverse and edges. This slab has very nice features of black aegerine, orange tinkasite and feldspar.

This specimen measures 3.94 x 3.94" (10 x 10cm) and is 0.375" (9.68mm) thick (3/8") and weighs 8.98 oz or 0.56 lb (255g)

Definitely some of the most exquisite purple with strong Tinkasite, Aegerine and Feldspar crystals we have seen in a long time. A rare and very special specimen for any collection!