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The Gemstone Charoite
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:
Chemistry: K(Na, Ca)11(Ba, Sr)Si18O46(OH,
F)-nH2O
Composition: Hydrated Potassium Sodium Calcium
Barium Strontium Silicate Hydroxide Fluoride.
Color: white, lavender, lilac, violet and/or
purple.
Class: Silicates
Subclass: Inosilicates
Crystal system: monoclinic
Crystal habit: fibrous interlocking crystal
masses
Fracture: conchoidal
Hardness: 5
Specific gravity: 2.5 - 2.8
Refractive Index:
Luster: vitreous to pearly
Streak: pale purple
Cleavage: not seen
Transparency: transparent
to translucent
ENVIRONMENT:
Charoite is formed from alteration of limestones by the close presence
of an alkali-rich nephline syenite intrusion. Heat, pressure and the infusion
of unique chemicals make new minerals such as Charoite.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
Charoite is a vivid purple material, heavily patterned with white,
green and clear patches.
It also has crystalline outcroppings that give it a moderate chatoyance.
The rarest has smoky swirls of tan and brown. Its popularity might be
much greater if it didn't look synthetic. It just doesn't look real.
LOCALITIES:
It was Discovered in 1976 near the Chara River, Uakutsk, Russia. To date
it is found only in this one location. Why Charoite has not been found
in other locations is not fully understood. But it is probably due to
a combination of a chemically unique limestone reacting with a chemically
unique intrusion and subjected to unique physical conditions.
We have heard rumors, of it being nearly or all dug out.
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