Charoite is a stone with the only deposit in the world

Charoite is a stone so rare that it is mined in only one deposit on the planet.
It is not surprising that they were able to discover it only half a century ago, although geologists estimate the age of the gems at one and a half hundred million years. The properties of the stone are just being studied, so it can still surprise everyone who is interested in mineralogy. The color of charoite has no analogues among rocks, as does its beautiful smoky shine. Who is charoite suitable for and why it is used by jewelers, lithotherapists and magicians - read our article.

History and uses of charoite

The history of the gem is short, but unusual. Ancient scientists and magicians did not write treatises on the properties of the stone; jewelry with charoite was not found in the tombs of powerful rulers. The mineral was discovered only in 1948, when Soviet geologist V.G. Ditmar explored the Murunsky ridge in Yakutia.

Russian postage stamp with the image of charoite.

On the banks of an unnamed stream, which is now named after him, Dietmar found strange purple crystals. He considered them a type of serpentine and did not attach any importance. Only in 1960, experts from the USSR Academy of Sciences noticed that the Yakut find in its properties was very far from all known rocks.

In the seventies, the charoite stone, which was then simply called lilac slate, began to be studied by another scientist, Yuri Gavrilovich Rogov. He discovered 15 deposits of the gem near the place where Dietmar found the first specimen of the new mineral.

At the same time, Rogov was sent to France. At the Mineralogical Museum of the Louvre, he turned to leading foreign experts. But they also turned out to be powerless, simply repeating the conclusion of their Soviet colleagues. The properties of the find had no analogies with any other known stone. This finally convinced the scientist that he and Ditmar had discovered a new rock unknown to science.

The mineral was named charoite in honor of the Chara River, in the area where it was first discovered.

Of course, no one thought about the magical properties of the charoite stone in Soviet times - amulets made from the gem appeared already in the nineties. But the discoverers were able to study what the breed consists of and what its characteristics are. Products made from charoite immediately became an indicator of the status of geologists and collectors who managed to get a rare specimen.

Historical reference

The mineral was first discovered during a geological survey in 1948 by Soviet geologist V.G. Ditmar, who mistakenly called it cummingtonite shale.

The first charoite jewelry was made in 1973. Charoite was officially registered as a new mineral by V.P. Rogova in 1977.

While scientists were comprehensively studying the new mineral, jewelers had already begun to process and sell the ornamental stone. Soon the gem became so famous that many products made from it began to be sent abroad.

One of the American scientists studied imported Soviet charoite in his homeland and submitted an application to the International Commission on New Minerals to secure priority for the discovery. Irkutsk researcher Vera Parfentyevna Rogova sent her Application a little earlier, but her Application was not accepted and she was asked to change the name of the stone.

The name “charaite” initially proposed by the Irkutsk woman, according to the commission, turned out to be consonant with the name of another mineral - cheralite, which is why V.P. Rogova’s proposal was rejected. But justice triumphed. All members of the commission, except one, were in favor of awarding the honor of discovery to Vera Rogova. An American mineralogist wrote a letter of congratulations to his Siberian colleague.

Charoite still holds a lot of mysteries. The stone is so difficult to study that its first researcher, candidate of geological and mineralogical sciences Evgeniy Vorobyov, could not determine the exact formula for several years. Geologists do not yet have a consensus on the origin of charoite. Various versions were put forward by E.I. Vorobyov, N.V. Vladykin, M.D. Evdokimov, V.M. Biryukov and N.V. Berdnikov.

Where is charoite mined?

The Murun massif, where the only charoite deposit on planet Earth is located, is a unique place. Many generations of geologists have defended their dissertations on this mountain system and the rare rocks with unique properties found there. Many of the stones mined here are found only in two or three regions of the planet. But charoite was no longer found anywhere else, even in the form of inclusions in other rocks.

Yakutia is the only place on the planet where charoite stone is mined.

The place where the crystals are mined is poetically called the “Lilac Stone”. Its area is 10 square kilometers; twenty-six deposits have been discovered so far. Development is carried out using a quarry method.

The total reserves of the gem are estimated at approximately one hundred and forty million tons. Since the mid-nineties, the quota for stone mining established by the government of Yakutia has been in effect. A total of 100 tons per year is allowed to be mined, but actual production volumes are much less.

Favorable time to buy

It is important that charoite not only matches the zodiac sign, but also pleases its owner. Then the gem will be beneficial, a favorable contact will arise with it, and it will give off its energy. Treated, polished stones are better suited for this. As for the lunar calendar, charoite is closely related to the 16th lunar day. It is on this day that you should plan to purchase jewelry and stone products.

Sources and literature

1. Kulikov B.F., Bukanov V.V. Dictionary of semi-precious stones (Russian). — 2nd ed., revised. and additional - L.: Nedra, 1989. - P. 97. - 168 p. — ISBN 5-247-00076-5.
2. M.D. Evdokimov, Sat. "World of Stone", No. 7. Publishing house "Mineralogical Almanac", M., 1995.
3. Belov S.V., Frolov A.A. Charming charoite // Nature. - 2004. - No. 9. - P. 36-39.
4. Vorobyov E.I. Charoite. Novosibirsk: Academic Publishing House "Geo", 2008. - 140 p.
5. Solyanik V. A. Charoit - discovery of the second half of the 20th century. — Bulletin of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. - 2004. - P. 152-155.
6. Description of the charoite stone on Wikipedia ru.wikipedia.org

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Varieties of mineral

The charoite stone, although rare, has been well studied, and its subspecies have been successfully classified. The pattern of the mineral is made up of stripes of different shades of purple. Occasionally there are inclusions of aegirine, quartz, and feldspar. They have almost no effect on the properties, but give variety to the appearance.

There are ten varieties of charoite crystals in total:

• Needle. “Needles” are obtained when the mineral is mixed with aegirine. Such charoites are best processed.
• Radiant. There are few impurities in this type of stone; they form clusters similar to panicles, heterogeneous in chemical properties.
• Spotted radiant. Each such crystal has a bright individuality; no two are alike. Usually the base consists of a rock of deep purple color. Golden inclusions of tinaxite, black inclusions of aegirine and grayish spar “stars” make the appearance of the gem inimitable.
• Shaly. Purple subspecies with a barely noticeable tint. It was this that Dietmar first discovered. Valued for its magical properties.
• Homogeneous, or drain. The dense lilac or violet subspecies is known as an ornamental mineral.
• Charoite-asbestos lilac. A stone with uniform wavy fibers and a smoky shine. Very popular among jewelers, its decorative properties can only be compared with the most expensive gems.
• Rosette-shaped. Another favorite of jewelers. The uniqueness of its properties is that instead of fibers, the pebble consists of scales that are collected into rosettes. The color is purple or pale lilac.
• Veined-spotted. A light purple gem with golden or silver dots, which is found by prospectors more often than other varieties.
• Curly. A variation of the previous one, only instead of dots there are more pronounced spots.
• Shestovaty. A crystal consisting of parallel straight fibers. Usually dark purple with a pronounced glossy sheen.

All varieties of gems are valued in one way or another for their properties - beauty and softness. The price of stones has been growing in recent years, so perhaps the government of Yakutia will have an incentive to develop the deposits more actively. In this case, other subspecies of the gem may be discovered.

How to distinguish natural charoite from a fake

The properties of charoite have made it a valuable stone. Some varieties are used as ornamental varieties, others as jewelry. Vases, facing slabs, and decorations are made from lilac stone. Products made from the mineral are purchased to emphasize good taste. It is of interest to both magicians and lithotherapists. But how can you avoid running into a fake? After all, they love to imitate a rare gem.

1. Be careful about the price tag. Charoite is a mineral that is mined in strictly regulated quantities and in only one place on Earth. It cannot be cheap, even if it is a “facing grade”. The cheapest “raw” stones are sold for thirty dollars a kilogram, and processing increases the price several times. Jewelry can cost several hundred dollars, and charoite vases and plates are no exception.
2. Do not buy minerals secondhand. In jewelry shops and stores, always ask for a certificate. This guarantees not only authenticity, but also that the charoite you purchased does not contain radioactive or toxic substances. It is unlikely that you will be pleased with jewelry with such deadly properties.
3. If you have already bought jewelry and suspect that you have been deceived, then contact a specialist. The jeweler will check your jewelry using professional equipment and give a verdict.
4. Among the properties of charoite is low thermal conductivity. This means that genuine stone will always feel cool to the touch, while plastic or resin will heat up quickly.

A fake can look impressive and beautiful. If you want a vase or box made of charoite, but you cannot afford an expensive decorative item made of stone, then you can order an imitation. However, only natural charoite has magical and healing properties.

Interesting Facts

1. There is a remarkable story associated with the discovery of charoite. The discoverer of the deposit, Yuri Gavrilovich Rogov, was sent by the government on a business trip abroad. There he went to the Louvre Mineralogical Museum, which claimed to have a complete collection of all the minerals of the Earth and, showing a plate of lilac rock, asked to identify the mineral. The museum staff were forced to admit that they did not have such a mineral, and offered to sell him a sample. But the Soviet geologist refused (It should be taken into account that Yu. G. Rogov at that time had the first form of admission and was working on the search for uranium. And the removal of samples outside the USSR took place according to a very specific procedure).
2. Charoite is not very durable and should be protected from impacts. Products made from charoite can be washed in warm water.
3. Along with malachite, charoite is considered a symbol of Russia. When American movie star Sharon Stone was on an official visit to Russia, she bought jewelry with malachite and charoite as a “unique symbol of Russia.”
4. At a temperature of 1000 °C, charoite is sintered into glass balls that do not lose their lilac color.

Charoite care

Products made from charoite require very careful care. The mineral must be protected from exposure to household chemicals. Because of its properties, it loses its shine. Aggressive acids or alkalis can damage the gem.

When caring for charoite products, you should follow certain recommendations.

It is best to simply rinse charoite jewelry in running water. To ensure that the mineral retains its shine, after cleaning it can be rubbed with velvet or silk. Under no circumstances should the crystal be allowed to fall or rub against a hard surface.

Not every city has specialists who deal with stone - it is still very rare. So you can ruin your talisman without any hope of recovery.

Once every five to six months, the stone must be cleansed of negative energy in order to preserve its beneficial magical properties. To do this, keep it in bright sun for no longer than an hour.

For people who engage in sports or physical labor, it is best to remove their favorite beads and rings with charoite during exercise. Firstly, you can damage the stone, and secondly, it does not like sweat.

What is the price?

A real gem, as mentioned above, is very rare and is mined in limited quantities, which is why its cost is quite high. One kilogram of pure breed costs from 30 to 150 dollars, depending on the variety, and the cost of the most valuable specimens can reach up to 700 dollars per 1 kilogram. A finished product made from charoite or using it is much more expensive.

The price of a finished decoration or craft directly depends on the type of stone from which it is made. For example, earrings made from extra-charoite will cost more than earrings made from second-grade charoite, even if their design is the same.

Are you fascinated by Charoite? Maybe your friendship with this rare mineral has lasted for a long time, or maybe your acquaintance began right now. Share your stories and emotions associated with charoite!

Healing properties of the stone

Charoite is a stone with unique healing properties. Although lithotherapists did not have much time to study them, they came to the conclusion that the mineral has a beneficial effect on the psyche. If you feel stressed, anxious, dissatisfied, then just admire the lilac tints in the thickness of the stone. Regular meditation on the gem can lift a person out of even the most prolonged depression.

During epidemics, charoite will help the wearer cope with infections.

A charoite bracelet can increase the body's protective properties. Within a week, the person who starts wearing it will feel a surge of vigor and energy.

Other healing properties of charoite stone include:

• Improving memory and concentration.
• Ability to relieve pain.
• Strengthening the effect of drugs for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, spleen.
• Changes in the properties of kidney stones. They become smaller, softer, easier to crush and come out. To do this, in addition to traditional therapy, it is enough to apply the gem to the lower back for ten minutes twice a day.

Earrings with charoite help cope with headaches. If you place a ball or figurine with a purple stone in a visible place in the house, the residents will begin to suffer less from nightmares. A child with a gem hanging over his bed will sleep better and be less capricious.

Talismans, amulets, amulets

As a talisman, the stone is suitable for anyone whose work is related to creativity - artists, writers and those who need inspiration.

It is very useful to keep a ball made of charoite on your desktop, which can be placed on a silver stand.

Such a talisman will help you work more fruitfully. Also, amulets made from this stone will bring good luck to those who do charity work.

The most suitable jewelry for an amulet are rings and bracelets. They help to feed on the energy of the cosmos and gain clarity of mind.

It should be remembered that you cannot constantly wear charoite amulets; this can lead to too much relaxation and apathy.

Magical properties of charoite

In color magic, purple is the color of calm, wisdom, and contemplation. Therefore, charoite is a mineral of philosophers, gurus, and ascetics. Its properties will make life easier for those who strive for silence and solitude. The stone is also good for people who value the ability to find compromises, hear and listen to others.

A souvenir made from a purple gem will bring harmony and comfort to your home.

Regular meditation on charoite will help you:

• Learn to control the situation whenever possible.
• Develop analytical skills.
• Improve your intuition.
• Cope with excessive impulsiveness and temper.
• Discover new talents in yourself.

Another property of charoite is that it loves children and teenagers. A souvenir made from a gem will help a difficult child find his way in life and channel his irrepressible energy into a creative direction.

Who is the Charoite stone suitable for according to their zodiac sign?

Most often, charoite stone is recommended for signs that belong to the element of Air. These are Libra , Gemini , Aquarius . The properties of the mineral to bring stability and balance will help them cope with their own flighty character, become calmer, and more self-confident. The gem will also give wisdom and teach you to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.

The charoite talisman is well compatible with the air signs of the zodiac.

Water signs can also achieve good compatibility with the stone. Pisces , Cancers , Scorpios will feel that they have become bolder and stronger. The mineral is especially suitable for those “water people” who occupy high positions and are forced to control subordinates. It will be easier for them to plan ahead. Also, excessive softness, fears, anxiety about the future will go away, that is, those character traits that always interfere with bosses.

The stone Charoite has the properties and significance of a mineral of the mixed water-air element. Therefore, it will be difficult for the Fire signs - Leo , Aries , Sagittarius - to cope with it. The less they wear the gem, the better. It is not recommended to use it in magical practices. Leos will become too proud, Aries will become stubborn, and Sagittarius will become aggressive. If the character is strong enough not to succumb to the influence of the stone, then physical health may suffer.

The same properties make charoite undesirable for Earth signs. Taurus , Capricorn and Virgo will become overly conservative, harsh and intolerant. Another possible effect is lethargy and slow thinking. This can result in serious failures in relationships, professional sphere, and creativity.

Are you interested in charoite? Then we recommend looking at these stones: kyanite, albite, apatite. Enjoy reading!

The magic of the Siberian miracle

The magical properties of the mineral began to be studied by esotericists immediately after its discovery. In such a short period of time, it was possible to find out that charoite has strong energy and a wide range of magical abilities.

The first and main direction in which the power of a gem acts is harmony. This applies to many areas - a person’s inner world, establishing communication with the environment, family relationships. Charoite allows the owner to reconcile with his inner self, gives him eloquence and the gift of persuasion to communicate with people, helps to meet love and preserve an already created family.

In addition to harmonizing itself and everything around, the mineral will surround the owner with a halo of strong protection from gossip and envy, as well as from more serious negativity - the evil eye, damage, energy vampires. Charoite develops intuitive feelings, helps suppress outbursts of anger and aggression.

It is important! Charoite is endowed with the property of accumulating negative energy. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly clean the mineral for a few minutes under running water, then dry it in the sun and the gem will be as good as new (at the energy level).

The gem accompanies all purposeful individuals, helping to cope with assigned tasks, despite obstacles. In addition, a nugget reveals hidden abilities in a person, helps develop talents, and gives inspiration to people already engaged in creativity.