Charoite is a strikingly beautiful, swirling purple mineral known for its distinctive fibrous and chatoyant appearance. It is exclusively found in the Murun Massif region of Russia and is often prized by lapidaries for carving into cabochons and decorative ornaments.
Is this charoite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch charoite with a known reference. Charoite sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Charoite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Charoite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lavender, violet, purple.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: fibrous, massive, foliated.
Often confused with
Charoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads pearly on Charoite and vitreous on Sugilite.
How to tell apart: Charoite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5-6 vs. 2.5-3).
How to tell apart: Amethyst is the harder of the two (Mohs 7 vs. 5-6); luster reads pearly on Charoite and vitreous on Amethyst.
Often found alongside charoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with charoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (K,Sr,Ba,Mn)₁₅-₁₆(Ca,Na)₃₂Si₇₀O₁₆₀(OH,F)₄·~3H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 2.54-2.58 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous, Massive, Foliated
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Lapidary, Decorative, Collector
- Host rock
- Alkaline Syenite Intrusions
- Typical price
- $10-100 per specimen
Where rockhounds find charoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Murun Massif, Russia
- Aldan Shield, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in alkaline syenite intrusions country — that is the host setting where charoite typically forms. If you start seeing aegirine, microcline, tinaksite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous, massive, foliated habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find charoite on the map
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