| General Information |
|---|
| Chemical Formula | Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references |
|---|
| Physical Properties of Charoite |
|---|
| Mohs Hardness | 5 to 6Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references |
|---|
| Specific Gravity | 2.54 to 2.78Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references |
|---|
| Cleavage Quality | FairUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references |
|---|
| Fracture | ConchoidalArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) |
|---|
| Optical Properties of Charoite |
|---|
| Refractive Index | 1.545 to 1.560Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references |
|---|
| Optical Character | Biaxial/+Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) |
|---|
| Birefringence | 0.009Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references |
|---|
| Pleochroism | NilArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) |
|---|
| Dispersion | NilArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) |
|---|
| Colour |
|---|
| Colour (General) | Violet with white to black swirlsHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references |
|---|
| Transparency | Translucent,OpaqueHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references |
|---|
| Lustre | Vitreous,PearlyArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) |
|---|
| Crystallography of Charoite |
|---|
| Crystal System | MonoclinicHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references |
|---|
| Habit | MassiveMichael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references |
|---|
| Geological Environment |
|---|
| Where found: | Charoite occurs in potassic feldspar metasomatites at the contact of nepheline and aegririne syenites with limestones.The combination of charoite with some of its associated minerals makes attractive ornaments.Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) |
|---|
| Inclusions in Charoite |
|---|
Flame-like inclusions. The common "charoite" is a rock composed of various minerals (charoite, feldspar, augite, etc) - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 6
Forms an attractive ornametal material together with greenish-black aegirine-augite, orange-gray feldspar (microcline) and orange tinaksite - Gemmological Tables, Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, 2004, p 9 |
| Further Information |
|---|
| Mineral information: | Charoite information at mindat.org |
|---|
| Significant Gem Localities |
|---|
| Russia | |
- Chara and Tokko Rivers Confluence
| Konev et al. (1993) |
|
|
