charoite

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Charoite pendant in sterling silver

Species:  Charoite
Mohs Hardness:  5 to 6 out of 10
Color:  Purple with swirls of white, black, gray or brownish orange
RI:  1.550 to 1.559 (+/- 0.002) (Usually a 1.55 or 1.56 spot reading)
Birefringence:  Usually not detectable
Fluorescence:  Inert to patchy weak red under LW and SW
SG:  2.68 (+0.10 / -0.14)

charoite facts

Charoite pendant, by Charles Albert

Charoite is an incredibly beautiful, purple gemstone with a marbled appearance.

The swirls of white in the purple gem are sometimes iridescent.

Charoite was discovered in 1940, in the Chary River of Yukatia, Russia.

Although it was discovered in 1940, charoite didn't appear commercially, in jewelry, until 1978.

Charoite is one of the few gemstones that remains free of any and all treatments.

All photos courtesy of Scott Papper, GIA GG, AJP, CMA (NAJA)