Charoite
Mineral K(Ca,Na)2Si4O10(OH,F)·H2O
About it
Swirling lilac to purple fibrous masses with black aegirine and orange tinaksite, found only near the Chara River in Yakutia, Siberia; cut into cabochons and carvings.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Silicate (inosilicate)
- Formula
- K(Ca,Na)2Si4O10(OH,F)·H2O
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 5–6
- Specific gravity
- 2.54–2.78
- Streak
- white
- Lustre
- vitreous (glassy), pearly, silky
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Colours
- lilac, violet, purple
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Cleavage and fracture
- good in three directions; splintery fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.