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PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:
Chemistry: (K,Na)(Na,Fe+3)2(Li2Fe+3)Si12O30 + Mn
Composition: Potassium sodium lithium
(Iron, Manganese, Aluminum) Silicate
Color: purple, brown, yellow,pink,
black.
Class: Silicates
Subclass: Cyclosilicates
Group: Milarite - Osumilite
Crystal system: Hexagonal
Crystal habit: microcrystaline.
Fracture: subconchoidal
Hardness: 6 - 6.5
Specific gravity: 2.74, variable
Pleochroism: none
Refractive Index: 1.607 - 1.610
Luster: vitreous to dull or
waxy
Streak: brown
Clevage: poor in one direction
Transparency: translucent
to opaque
Associated Minerals: pectolite, poudretteite
and polylithionite.
LOCALITIES:
Iwagi Island, Shikoku, Japan as well as Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec,
Canada and most importantly, South Africa.
HISTORY AND LORE:
Named for the Japanese geologist who discovered the first specimens in
1944, Ken-ichi Sugi. The location of this first discovery was the Iwagi
Islet in Southwestern Japan. The original Japanese materials were just
tiny, yellow crystals with no gem value. In 1955 some dark pink crystals
were found in India’s Central Province that were also identified as Sugilite.
However, they were not of gem value either.
More recently in 1975, the only known deposit of gem grade sugilite. Was
found in the Wessel Mine in the Kalahari Desert. Near Hotazel in Kuruman,
Republic of South Africa. This area is known as the Kuruman Manganese
Field. At first it was thought to be a very small deposit.
But later found to be a commercial sized deposit estimated to contain
as much as ten to twenty tons. However, the deposit is 3,200 feet below
the surface. Due to the difficulty of removing it from such a great depth.
Sugilite commands a high price for an opaque gem material. From
$15-$25ct. For nice deep purple stones. While almost all of it is opaque,
a very tiny percentage, maybe 1/10 of 1% is translucent. Needless to say,
this translucent, “Sugilite Gel” is extremely rare, expensive and highly
prized.
In ancient times, people believed purple stones helped to channel spiritual
energy.
Sugilite has been promoted under the trade names "Royal Lavulite"
and "Royal Azel." and spelled sugulite, by some
The African material has a very pleasing purple color. Due to it's
lithium and manganese
content. It also cntains black spots and some of the lesser grades have
very light purple to
white areas.
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