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Gem/Topic of the Month

Each month this section will feature either a topic of interest to gem lovers or one special gemstonespecies with background on the material and its value.

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July, 2004

CHAROITE

Named for the only locale in which it is found, the Charo River Valley in the former Soviet Union, Charoite is one of the few gems that is so distinctive in its color and patterns that a gemologist can feel justified in making a "sight" identification. There's really no other material likely to be mistaken for it -- at least this is true until a synthetic or man-made simulant comes along some day.

Like lapis lazuli, the gemstone that we call "Charoite" is actually a rock composed of several minerals including Charoite! Unlike lapis, though, it is usually nearly pure Charoite mineral, with only slight amounts of microcline feldspar, aergirine-augite and tinaksite. It is the mineral Charoite that gives this gem its unmistakable purple color which, often in the same piece, ranges from very light to medium dark purple and from translucent to opaque. The other distinctive aspect of its appearance is the swirling patterns that form due to its fibrous crystals being arrayed in complex interlocking patterns.

First found, 325 miles North of the tip of Lake Baikal, in the 1940's and locally called "lilac stone", this gem was introduced to the Western gemstone marketplace as Charoite in the 1970's. It immediately made a large impact, both with traditional lapidaries and marketers who used it for decorative objects, carvings and cabochons, and, soon after, with metaphysical gem enthusiasts for whom it embodies a long list of healing and spiritual attributes.

Charoite is formed from limestone by the process of contact metamorphism. Since this is a relatively common geologic phenomenon it is not completely clear why its distribution is so limited. Apparently the particular limestone in that area had unique chemical properties as did the intrusive rocks. So far, gemologists have not been able to ascertain the exact chemical or structural reason for its purple color. To say that the mineral Charoite is a silicate of complex compostion an understatement: one mineralogical source describes it as a hydrated potassium, sodium, calcium, barium, strontium, silicate hydroxyfluoride!

As a gem it is reasonably tough with a hardness between 5 and 6 and no cleavage. Use in rings or bracelets is probably unwise, but most other jewelry uses are safe. It is somewhat heat sensitive, so steam cleaning should be avoided, as should ultrasonic processes. As with the majority of gems, the best cleaning tool is a soft brush, a mild detergent and warm water.

One of the loveliest aspects of the best Charoite gems is a slight to moderate chatoyance which gives it a silky or pearly luster. This attribute, as well as the swirling patterns and distinctive purple color, is well demonstrated by the pieces below:

VALUE FACTORS:

Charoite is a gemstone bargain. Even the highest quality pieces are, at most, a few dollars a carat. Look for a lovely pattern, pleasing colors, a good polish and a shape that appeals to you, and you cannot go wrong. If the piece shows some chatoyance, that would add to its value

GEMOLOGICAL DATA:

Makeup: A rock composed mainly of the complex silicate mineral Charoite

Crystal System: Monoclinic

Hardness: 5 - 6

Density: 2.5 - 2.8

Refractive Index: 1.55 - 1.56

Birefringence: .009

Fluorescence: LW, weak to inert; SW, weak to inert

Fracture: conchcoidal to splintery

Luster: vitreous to pearly or silky

Stones Currently Available:

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