Charoite
Last updated: April 2026
A rare complex silicate mineral found only at the Murun Massif in Siberia. Named for the Chara River. The swirling purple fibrous pattern with orange tinaksite and black aegirine inclusions is its diagnostic feature — colour alone can suggest amethyst, iolite or sugilite, but the texture separates it. All charoite is ornamental-grade massive material.
Charoite has a specific gravity of 2.60 and a refractive index of 1.550–1.559, with a Mohs hardness of 5.0–6.0. It is aggregate.
Physical & Optical Properties
Measured with a polariscope, a refractometer, a hydrostatic balance, a Chelsea filter, a UV torch, a loupe, a darkfield loupe and a spectroscope — step-by-step for each.
Through the refractometer
Drawn from the refractive index above, on a 1.40–1.81 scale. How to take this reading.
Key Differentiators
- Unique fibrous swirling lavender-purple texture with orange (tinaksite) and black (aegirine) inclusions
- Single world locality — Murun Massif, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Siberia, Russia
- RI 1.550–1.559 lower than sugilite (1.607–1.610); SG 2.54–2.68 lighter than sugilite
- Distinctive chatoyant silky luster from fibrous crystal habit
- Orange and black mineral inclusions visible under loupe are indicative
Common Simulants
- Sugilite: Sugilite is more uniformly purple without fibrous swirling texture; RI 1.607–1.610 (higher); SG 2.74–2.80 (heavier); lacks orange tinaksite and black aegirine.
- Purple Jasper: Purple jasper lacks the fibrous swirling texture and orange/black inclusions of charoite; SG ~2.65; typically more opaque with duller luster.
- Dyed Purple Howlite: Dyed howlite: acetone removes purple dye; SG ~2.53; hardness only 3.5; strong LW blue fluorescence in undyed areas; no fibrous structure.
Treatments
- Wax or Surface Coating (polish enhancement)
Measurement Guides
Identifying a charoite? Loupewise walks through these tests in order — RI, SG, fluorescence, and more.
Try Loupewise Free →Studying for the GIA, FGA, or FEEG practical? Charoite is one of the 132 species in Loupewise’s drill and exam pool — practice identifying it from its measured properties under timed exam conditions.
Practice exams →