Rocks containing abundant charoite with a pleasing color and interesting pattern are often cut into gems or used as an ornamental stone. Charoite cabochons, beads, tumbled stones and other items made of high-quality material can sell for high prices. Charoite is also used to make small sculptures and small utilitarian items that include vases, spheres, goblets, desk…

Charoite is only known from rocks that are either charoite-rich or charoite-dominated. The name used for these rocks is “charoitite”. [5] Most people in the gem and lapidary trades simply refer to them as “charoite” and may not suspect that they are a rock which contains a variety of rare minerals. Charoitite is a contact…

Charoite is a complex silicate mineral. Published chemical compositions are in disagreement. We checked numerous references, and each one presented a different composition. The compositions reported below are from the Glossary of Geology [3], Mineralogical Magazine [4], and Mindat.org [1].(K,Na)5(Ca,Ba,Sr)8Si8O46(OH,F)·nH2O [3](K,Sr,Ba,Mn)15-16(Ca,Na)32[Si70(O,OH)180] (OH,F)4·nH2O [4](K,Sr)15-16(Ca,Na)32[Si6O11(O,OH)6]2 [Si12O18(O,OH)12]2[Si17O25(O,OH)18]2 (OH,F)4·~3H2O [1] Determining a composition for this mineral might be difficult for two reasons: 1) well-formed…

The charoitite of the Sirenevy Kamen (“purple stone”) deposit of eastern Siberia is thought to have formed when an alkali syenite intrusion encountered a dolomite containing a significant amount of terrigenous clastic sediment. The result was a complex geochemical environment of hydrothermal metasomatism. Mineral-rich fluids permeated the dolomite and surrounding rocks, forming charoite and a variety of…

Charoite is the name of a purple to violet silicate mineral with a striking appearance. Its vibrant purple color grabs a person’s attention. Then, upon closer examination, the viewer discovers interesting banding, swirls, scales, or radial and parallel habits. Many rocks that contain abundant charoite will accept a beautiful polish. As a result, high-quality pieces of charoite can be cut into…