- 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 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.
Rogov in the end of 1950s, but only 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). This material is actually a
silicate of potassium, calcium and sodium [K(Na, Ca)11(Ba, Sr)
Si18O46 (OH, F)-nH2O]. It ranks 5.0 on the Moh’s Scale of
Hardness. It’s density is approximately 2.5 - 2.8.
- CHAROITE is said to be THE STONE OF THE SPIRIT.
- Wearing Charoite is believed to enhance self-esteem,
accelerate spiritual growth, soothe hot emotions, give a feeling
of security. In healing, Charoite aids in the treatment of general
aches and pains, liver ailments, and blood pressure. Charoite
changes loneliness to love and warms the heart, it shows you the
way through your fears to perfect peace.
- DO YOU KNOW THAT: the fact that charoite was named after the
Chara river in Yakutia may be wrong. The nearest bends of the Chara
river are located about 70 km from the occurrence. Most probably
charoite was named because of the impression that it gives: “Chary” in
Russian means “charms” or “magic”.
- The price of charoite depends strongly on its quality. The most precious
"extra" charoite of deep violet color with nice feather structure and
almost without inclusions is now very difficult to find. Even lower quality
material, with a lot of block or yellow spots, is becoming rare today.
- Another important thing about charoite is its behavior during cutting and
polishing. If you want to buy a piece of rough material not to put it on the
shelf but to make something out of it - you should be very careful by
choosing. Charoite is very easy to be broken apart while cutting. The
most stable is so-called "plastic" charoite but it is less attractive at the
same time.
