Chariote

Chariote
$525.00
Item number: 1

Chariote From Siberia 5.45 Siberia 5.45 CT 


Chariot is a rare, violet-to-deep-purple silicate mineral famous for its swirling, fibrous, and pearly chatoyant patterns. It is found exclusively in the Murunskii Massif mountain range in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia. Named after the nearby Chara River (or the Russian word for "magic"), it is a geological anomaly and highly prized collector's item. 

 

Key Characteristics

 

    • Color: Ranges from soft lilac and lavender to deep royal purple, often streaked with white feldspar, translucent quartz, and black aegirine.

 

  • Hardness: Measures 5 - 6 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it suitable for pendants, earrings, and gentle jewelry use.
  • Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to silky, often displaying a chatoyant (cat's-eye) shimmer when polished. 

 

 

Formation
Charoite formed millions of years ago when molten rock (syenite) intruded into chemically complex limestone deposits. It is a complex mineral composed primarily of potassium, calcium, sodium, barium, strontium, and silicon. Because of its unusual formation and unique mix of elements, it is incredibly rare and has not been discovered anywhere else on Earth. 
Discovery & Market
  • Discovery: Although allegedly observed in the 1940s, it wasn't formally described or introduced to the broader international gem market until 1978. 
  • Scarcity: Its vividly saturated colors and unique banding initially made experts question if it was dyed or synthetic, but it is entirely natural. 
  • Price: Because of its exclusive locality and fluctuating mining conditions, high-grade polished charoite commands premium prices, though raw tumbles and small cabochons are accessible. 
Uses and Metaphysical Lore
Charoite is almost exclusively cut into cabochons, beads, and polished display pieces. In metaphysical practices and crystal healing, it is known as the "Stone of Transformation." It is believed to help release fear, alleviate stress, and stimulate the Crown and Third Eye chakras to enhance spiritual insight, intuition, and inner strength.