Sugilite
Mineral KNa2(Fe,Mn,Al)2Li3Si12O30
Also called Royal lavulite and Luvulite
About it
Purple massive material from the Wessels mine, South Africa, cut into cabochons and beads; first found in Japan and named for Ken-ichi Sugi.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Silicate (cyclosilicate), milarite group
- Formula
- KNa2(Fe,Mn,Al)2Li3Si12O30
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 5.5–6.5
- Specific gravity
- 2.74–2.79
- Streak
- white
- Lustre
- vitreous (glassy), waxy
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Colours
- purple, violet, magenta, pink, yellowish brown
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent, opaque
- Cleavage and fracture
- poor; conchoidal fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.