Charoite
Current inventory:  0 gems
 

  
Charoite was named for the Chara River, Russia, near which it was discovered.

Discovered in 1947 ;   IMA status: Valid (IMA approved 1987)

Chemistry

Chemical Formula:

K(Ca,Na)₂Si₄O₁₀(OH,F) • H₂O

Hydrated Potassium Calcium Sodium Silicate Hydroxide Fluoride

Molecular Weight:

1,828.68 gm

Composition:

Potassium

10.69 %

K

12.88 %

K₂O

Calcium

17.53 %

Ca

24.53 %

CaO

Silicon

27.65 %

Si

59.14 %

SiO₂

Hydrogen

0.39 %

H

3.45 %

H₂O

Oxygen

43.75 %

O

100.00 %

100.00 %

= TOTAL OXIDE

Classification

Mineral Classification:

Silicates (Germanates)

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

8/F.35-50

Nickel-Strunz 10th Ed. ID:

9.DG.92

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
D : Inosilicates
G : Inosilicates with 3-periodic single and multiple chains

Related to:

n/a

Varieties:

None

Synonyms:

Charoite Jade, IMA1977-019

Crystal Data

Crystallography:

Monoclinic - Prismatic

Crystal Habit:

Fibrous, massive

Twinning:

None

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

Good in three directions

Fracture:

Conchoidal

Tenacity:

Brittle

Moh's Hardness:

5.0 - 6.0; VHN₅₀=412 (kg/mm²)

Density:

2.54 - 2.58 (g/cm³)

Luminescence:

Weakly Fluorescent; pale blue under SW UV and LV UV; yellow-orange cathodoluminescence

Radioactivity:

Barely Detectable, GRapi = 10.69 (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units)

Optical Properties

Color:

Shades of lilac, violet and purple; colorless in thin section

Transparency:

Semitransparent to Opaque

Luster:

Vitreous to Pearly

Refractive Index:

1.550 - 1.559  Biaxial ( + )

Birefringence:

0.0090

Dispersion:

n/a

Pleochroism:

X = rose; Z = colorless, in thick fragments

Occurances

Geological Setting:

In potassic feldspar metasomatites at the contact of nepheline and aegirine syenites with limestones.

Common Associations:

Canasite, Tinaksite

Common Impurities:

Al, Fe, Mn, Sr, Ba

Type Locality:

Murunskyi Massif, Chara River (Charo River), Davan, Torgo River Basin, Aldan Shield, Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia), Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia

Year Discovered:

1947; IMA approved 1987

View mineral photos:

Charoite Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org
Webmineral.com

Charoite is found only in the Murun Massif, Chara River area of the Torgo River Basin, Aldan Shield, Southwest Yakutia (Sakha Republic), Eastern-Siberian Region, Russia. It was discovered in 1947, but was not introduced to the outside world until about 1978. This beautiful mineral has swirling colors of violet, purple and lavender and occassionally swirls of white Feldspar, yellow Canasite, orange Tinaksite and black Aegirine mixed in. Some specimens are beautifully chatoyant. The mineral is a massive material suitable for making large objects such as bookends and vases and also cabochons. Cabochons look alive with swirling colors and chatoyance. The look of Charoite is unlike any other mineral.

Charoite is named for the Chara River, Russia, near which it was discovered. However, I have heard that the name comes from the Russian word "chary" which means "charms" or "magic" due to its beautiful chatoyance.
 

  
Charoite gems for sale:

We have not photographed our Charoite gems yet.  Please check back soon!