Charoite, besides being visually impressive and very affordable, has a lovely rarity. Despite its beautiful violet colors, beautiful swirl patterns, and optical reflectance, charoite is little known and not very popular. Therefore, we will tell you everything you need to know about this beautiful stone, so that you take it into consideration in your next gemstone purchase.
What is charoite?
Although it is categorized as a rock, pure charoite is a rare silicate mineral. In terms of density and reflection index, charoite is very similar to quartz, while its hardness is close to that of lapis lazuli or turquoise.
Charoite has a high purity and is generally almost completely pure. Rarely, it has traces of aegirine, tinaksite and microcline feldspar inclusions.
Because it is such a different gemstone, it is difficult to confuse it with other minerals. Its unique purple color and twist patterns make it stand out, allowing it to be easily recognized.
Why is charoite not so popular?
This is because it is a new and rare stone, so it is not very well known. Charoite was first discovered in Siberia in 1940. It is named after the Chara River. To this day the Murun mining complex in the Sakha Republic is the only source of charoite in the entire world. The gemstone was introduced to the commercial market 38 years after its discovery in 1978.
How to evaluate the quality of charoite?
Color and the intensity of its optical effect are the two main driving forces behind the value and quality of this stone. Whether it is a striking bright lavender color, a soft lilac or a dark purple, it is a unique and beautiful gemstone to look at. And, unlike many other minerals, charoite’s main coloring agent, purple, is actually due to the stone itself and not its inclusions.
Inclusions are what give the swirling patterns to this mineral. They are usually white or gray but can also have several green, black or orange veins, depending on whether they are tinaksite or aegerine impurities.
Whereas, in many other gemstones, inclusions can be seen as a negative attribute, in charoite they are what really make the mineral even more beautiful and valuable.
However, the most desirable trait of charoite is its chatoyancy or optical reflectance.
Often called the “cat’s eye effect”, it can occur in many gemstones. It is distinguished by how much it resembles a cat’s eye. It is caused by the reflection of light from various natural fibers, channels, and needles within the stone. This is also due to the various fibrous parallel and fine-grained inclusions in the charoite gemstone.
Chatoyancy is most sought after in translucent charoite stones, which are slightly rarer than the more common opaque gemstones. A light-colored, translucent charoite with a pearly sheen and strong cat’s eye effect is the highest valued specimen of this stone you can get.
The charoite in jewelry
With incredible physical and visual properties. Charoite can easily find a place in many different types of jewelry. However, because it has a relatively low hardness of 4.5 to 5 on the Mohs scale, it is not very suitable for jewelry that must be worn daily.
Instead, cabochons, ovals, hearts, pears or other interesting cuts of this stone can be worn in rings, earrings and necklaces that are reserved for special occasions. Even more prominent, charoite is used for ornamental gemstone carvings. It is also an excellent material for inlays, especially in wedding bands.
When set in jewelry, charoite stones generally pair best with silver, black, or white metals and materials. Yellow gold makes it a vintage-looking piece.
While most jewelry made with this gemstone is usually quite inexpensive. In the 3-digit or even 2-digit price range, when combined with high-quality materials and other gemstones, charoite jewelry can fetch high prices.
Charoite combines well with any style of jewelry, from bohemian styles to classic, sophisticated jewelry. It all depends on the setting of the piece. Whatever the desired purpose, charoite can become a beautiful and rare centerpiece in any type of jewelry. But, it must be carefully protected from wear and tear.
If you are looking for an interesting, unique and beautiful gemstone for a piece of jewelry or ornamentation, charoite is often an excellent choice.
How to take care of the charoite
The main factors that make charoite difficult to care for is its moderately soft nature. At 4.5 to 5 on the Mohs scale, charoite is scratched quite easily and accidentally damaged, either while wearing it or while stored with other jewelry.
With this in mind, charoite is generally not recommended for jewelry that you intend to wear on a daily basis. Also, it is best to store it separately from other pieces of jewelry or wrapped in a piece of cloth if it is placed with other gemstones.
As far as cleaning is concerned, charoite is best cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Never use strong and toxic detergents on it and never try to scrub it with a thick sponge, brushes or something similar.
Also, be aware of metal or other jewelry material, as they can sometimes be even more delicate than the charoite itself.
Meaning and symbolism
The beautiful violet color or the violet of the charoite, as well as its twisting and turning patterns, have quickly made it famous as one of nature’s most beautiful dream and illuminating stones.
It is believed that charoite allows its wearer to learn from past lives as well as seek spiritual guidance in the future. It is also said to embody the unique synthesis between the Crown and Heart Chakras.
Charoite is believed to be a stone that can help you focus on the present and remove negativity, emotional baggage, or thoughts that keep you trapped in the past.
This article is informative, so we do not guarantee or validate any of the claims related to the metaphysical and alternative healing powers of this or any other gemstone. Likewise, it should not be used in any way as a substitute for medical advice.
ALFA