Charoite

About Charoite

Found in only one location on Earth - the Chara River region in Siberia, Russia. It was not discovered until 1948 and not described scientifically until 1978. Its swirling purple patterns are unique among gemstones. The color comes from manganese. It is often found mixed with black aegirine and orange tinaksite, creating dramatic multicolored patterns. It is the national stone of Russia. Despite being discovered relatively recently, it has become popular in lapidary arts. It takes an excellent polish. The swirling fibrous structure gives it a chatoyant (silky) luster. It forms through complex geological processes unique to its single locality.