Charoite
The stone of transformation
The swirling, silky purple stone found only in Siberia; known in tradition as a stone of transformation, release and intuition.
Charoite is a rare silicate mineral in purple, from soft lilac to deep violet, with swirls and silky fibres that shimmer in the light. It has only one source in the world: the Murun Massif in Siberia, Russia, near the Chara River it is named after. It was formally described only in 1978, and when it first reached the market it was taken for a dyed stone. The black, orange or greenish spots in it are minerals that grew with it: aegirine, tinaksite and feldspar.
General information
- Name
- Charoite
- Mineral group
- Silicate (inosilicate)
- Chemical formula
- K(Ca,Na)₂Si₄O₁₀(OH,F)·H₂O
- Colours
- Purple, from lilac to deep violet, in swirls; often with black, orange, white or greenish spots
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 5–6
- Specific gravity
- 2.54–2.58
Zodiac signs
- Scorpio
- Sagittarius
Traditional meaning
- Transformation: Traditionally kept through times of change, to help accept it.
- Letting go: Linked in tradition to letting go of repeating patterns.
- Intuition: Linked to the crown and third-eye chakras, and to inner insight.
- Self-compassion: Traditionally encourages kindness to yourself in hard times.
- Dreams: Often kept by the bed, as a symbol of vivid dreams.
Care
Fairly soft and with cleavage, so keep it from knocks and store it apart from harder stones. It is sensitive to heat: clean only with warm water, a little mild soap and a soft brush; no ultrasonic or steam.
Meanings, zodiac signs and elements come from various traditions. They are not scientific or medical information and differ between sources.