Oval charoite cabochons from Siberia — the rarest purple mineral in the world, exclusively mined in the Chara River region (Sakha Republic, Russia). Available in 3 sizes: 11×7 mm, 15×10 mm, and 19×15 mm. Each piece displays violet-lilac spiral veins with silver feldspar sericite flashes.
Item Specifications
| Mineral |
Charoite (complex silicate of potassium, calcium, barium, and manganese — unique deposit in the world) |
| Dimensions |
Size 1: 11 × 7 × 5 mm · Size 2: 15 × 10 × 6 mm · Size 3: 19 × 15 × 5 mm. Variation of ±0.5 mm due to being hand-cut. |
| Shape and Back |
Oval, polished flat back |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Hardness |
5-6 Mohs — we recommend a closed bezel setting to protect the edges, especially in rings |
| Origin |
Russia (Chara River basin, Sakha Republic, Eastern Siberia) |
| Treatment |
Untreated |
| Type of piece |
Unique piece per variant |
This specific piece
Charoite has a spiral fibrous structure that creates visual movement within the stone: violet to lilac fibers intertwine around white-silver feldspar nodules (sericite and tinaksite), generating the characteristic swirling effect. No two pieces have the same spiral distribution.
Why charoite is unique
Charoite was discovered and described as a new mineral in 1978, although Soviet geologists had known about it since the 1940s. Its deposit is unique in the world: the outcrop of the Chara River in Eastern Siberia, where alkaline rock was metasomatized by hydrothermal fluids under specific temperature and pressure conditions that are not replicated anywhere else documented. The intense purple color comes from manganese in the silicate structure; the white veins are accompanying feldspar minerals (tinaksite, aegerine) that integrated during the same crystallization event. This uniqueness of deposit — a single point on the planet — makes charoite subject to Russian protection and export quotas.
What settings it works for
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Closed bezel setting (925 silver) — we recommend a closed bezel to protect the edges from impacts, especially.
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Pendant and earrings — the purple color contrasts spectacularly with oxidized silver; it also works.
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Wire wrap — the flat back facilitates wrapping; the violet of the.
Charoite in tradition
As a mineral discovered in the late 20th century, charoite does not have the historical baggage of other lapidary stones. However, since its arrival on the Western market in the 1980s, it quickly earned a place in designer jewelry and among collectors of rare minerals for its unique combination of color and texture. In crystal tradition, charoite is associated with personal transformation, inner vision, and the ability to see opportunity where others see obstacles — the stone of one who changes course without losing their way.
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice or a substitute for professional care.
How to recognize genuine charoite
Genuine charoite has a spiral fiber pattern visible under any light — it is not an optical effect but the actual structure of the mineral. The color is a saturated violet with lilac undertones; the white areas are accompanying feldspar minerals. Under magnification, the interwoven fibrous texture is visible. The most common imitations are dyed sugilite (more uniform, without spirals) and purple glass (different luster, no internal texture). Charoite is opaque — not translucent — and has the characteristic cold temperature of silicates.
Frequently asked questions
Why is charoite only mined in one place in the world?
The specific combination of alkaline rock and hydrothermal fluids in the Chara River in Siberia created the unique conditions for the formation of this mineral.
What setting do you recommend for charoite?
We recommend a closed bezel setting in 925 silver, especially for rings. A hardness of 5-6 Mohs means that a strong side impact can chip the edge.
Is charoite treated?
No detectable treatment. The purple color and vein pattern are natural properties of the mineral, resulting from its unique chemical composition.
