Gemstones Glossary

More gem stone info and resources


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Gems

Agate(s)
Amazonite
Amber
Amethyst
Ammolite
Ammonite
Aquamarine
Aventurine
Azurite-Malachite
Beryl
Bloodstone
Blue Opal
Bone
Boulder Opal
Carnelian
Chalcedony
Charoite
Chinese Writing Stone
Chrysocolla
Chrysoprase
Citrine
Dinosaur Bone
Drusy
Emerald
Garnet
Gaspeite
Gibeon Meteorite
Hematite
Jade
Jasper
Kono Dolomite
Labradorite
Lapis Lazuli
Larimar
Malachite
Meteorite
Montana Agate
Moonstone
Morgan Hill Poppy Jasper
Onyx
Opal
Opalite
Orthoceras
Palm Wood
Pearl
Pectolite
Peridot
Peruvian Opal
Petoskey Stone
Picasso Marble
Poppy Jasper
Quantum Quattro
Rhodochrosite
Ruby in Zoisite
Rutilated Quartz
Sapphire
Spectrolite
Stone Canyon Jasper
Sugilite
Tanzanite
Tiffany Stone
Tiger's Eye
Topaz
Tourmaline
Turquoise
Variscite
 

 

 

Charoite Facts, Information and Description

      Charoite jewelry

Discovered in Russia in 1978 in the Murun mountains in Yakutia. This the only known location for this rare mineral. The name Charoite is derived from the Charo River which is near where it was found.

The colors range from bright lavender, violet and lilac to dark purple with swirling patterns of black Augite, transparent crystals of microcline feldspar, and/or orange Tinaksite.

Charoite is so unusual looking with its chatoyancy and strange looking spirally  strands of fibrous material that it is often mistaken for a synthetic.  It is used extensively in jewelry and as an ornamental stone carved into boxes, bookends and vases. It ranges from 5 - 6 on the Mohs scale.

Folklore, Legend, and Healing Properties:

Charoite is said to enhance self-esteem, accelerate spiritual growth, and improve the ability to love. Since this is a recent discovery (1978), there are no known legends surrounding this stone.


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charoite

charoite rough
(click to enlarge)

Charoite Jewelry and Cabochons

pendantDesigner jewelry made with charoite.  A selection of freeform cabochons and rough available for custom designed jewelry.

 

 


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Sources of Information:
The Curious Lore of Precious Stones
by G.F. Kunz. J.D. Lippincott. 1913
The Mineral Gallery http://mineral.galleries.com/
The Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom http://www.minerals.net/
International Colored Gemstone Association http://gemstone.org/
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals Alfed A. Knopf 1979
Stones - Their Collection, Identification and Uses by R. V. Dietrich. Geoscience Press. 1980
Guide to Gems and Precious Stones Simon & Schuster 1986
Gemstones of the World by Walter Schumann. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
Gems and Jewelry by Joel E. Arem. Geoscience Press. 1992
Gems in Myth, Legend, and Lore by Bruce G. Knuth. Jeweler's Press 1999
Healing Crystals by Cassandra Eason. Vega 2003