Charoite Properties, Meaning, Facts and Photos

What is Charoite?

Charoite is a rock-forming mineral discovered in 1948 by geologist Vladimir Ditmar. It was another twenty years before geologists revisited the site where charoite was found, and only then was it fully investigated.

Charoite was found in Yakutia, also known as the Republic of Sakha. This area covers more than three million square kilometres in Russia's Far East (Siberia).

It's widely reported that charoite was named after the Chara River because it's where it's believed to have been found. However, charoite is actually found just over forty miles away.

Extensive discussions took place before this new purple-coloured mineral was named. The name 'Charaite' was initially chosen but later changed to avoid confusion with another mineral called 'charalite'. The name 'Charoite' was finally approved on June 22nd, 1977.

In Russia, charoite is known as 'sirenevyi kamen' (cиреневый kамень), meaning 'lilac stone'.

The doctor of geology and mineralogy who identified charoite had concerns about the distance of the Chara River from where the stone was found. She later agreed it wasn't a major problem and liked the fact that the Russian word 'chary' means 'enchantment', which she felt was appropriate for the stone's enchanting purple colour. 

The location where charoite is found is almost 600 miles from the nearest road. Being so remote makes access extremely difficult, especially for heavy machinery. For this reason, charoite is mined mainly by hand.

The Republic of Sakha has limited the amount of material that can be mined each year to one hundred tons.

When polished, charoite can exhibit a lilac to rich purple colour and beautiful swirling patterns. Some stones can be slightly chatoyant.

It has a complex chemical composition and always occurs with other minerals. Some of the most common include aegirine, aegerine, microcline, quartz, arfvedsonite, apophyllite and frankamenite.

Despite being more readily available now than it once was, charoite is still relatively rare. Finding larger quantities and fine-grade material has never been easy, but it's now more difficult than ever because of the current situation in Russia. 

It's believed there's almost no gem-grade charoite left available to mine.

Once charoite became known to the outside world, it quickly captured the attention of rock and mineral collectors. It wasn't long before it was being widely used for lapidary purposes. 

Fake charoite recently identified from China is being produced using low-grade purple fluorite. Charoite grades 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, fluorite grades 4. Therefore, charoite will scratch fluorite, but fluorite will not scratch charoite.

Charoite Healing Properties

Charoite is a stone of personal transformation and spiritual growth. It enhances one's ability to overcome challenges and embrace change.

The energy of charoite resonates with personal power and inner strength. It promotes resilience, courage and determination, enabling you to fulfil goals and desires.

It has a calming effect on the mind and body and can reduce stress, anxiety and negative emotions. Charoite encourages relaxation and brings a sense of tranquillity.

It aids emotional healing by releasing deep-seated fears, past traumas and negative thought patterns. It can be used to facilitate forgiveness and acceptance and to resolve emotional turmoil.

Charoite stimulates the third eye chakra. This chakra is associated with insight, intuition and spiritual vision.

Carrying charoite can help improve mental clarity and focus, leading to sharper thinking and improved decision-making.

It aids in organising thoughts, processing information efficiently and seeing situations from a broader perspective.

Charoite deepens the connection between the mind and spirit. It guides towards spiritual growth and raises awareness. It facilitates meditation and mindfulness, inner reflection and the exploration of higher realms.

Article Pictures

The charoite at the top of our page is on display in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C. The piece in the second photo is housed in London's Natural History Museum.

Both images are clickable and redirect to the original photo. Photos by Stone Mania.

Pop-up photos: Aegirine (and tinaksite) - Courtesy of Géry Parent. Microcline (in albite) - Photo by Stone Mania. Arfvedsonite (the black mineral) - Courtesy of James St. John. Apophyllite (on stilbite) - Courtesy of Stan Celestian.

An article written by David Carter (published on Mindat) was used for reference. The full article, which includes extensive information and some great photos, can be found here.