Collection: Charoite

Charoite, pronounced "charoite", was first discovered in 1947. There is no proof of its existence before: no legends, no myths, no objects discovered during archaeological excavations. We must face the facts: this stone is completely unknown. Furthermore, it is found in only one place on earth, a fact which is relatively rare.

In 1978, Russian geologist Yuri Rogov identified it as a new species of mineral. Yuri Rogov was then employed in uranium mining. He therefore went to Paris to show this stone to his colleagues. Indeed, they work at the Mineralogical Museum, considered to have the richest collection of minerals. Faced with general ignorance regarding this stone, he decided to name it charoite in reference to the Chara river, passing through a mountain range from which it comes. This mountain range is located in the Republic of Sakha in Siberia and is made up of peaks between 800 and 1,000 meters above sea level.

Chara means charm or magic in Russian. The beauty of this fine stone is remarkable. Its deposits are relatively rare and this stone is difficult to find. Indeed, more precisely, it can be discovered in the Aldan limestone massif, near Lake Baikal in Siberia. It should be noted that its deposits are very difficult to access and the exploitation of this stone proves complicated. The climatic conditions are harsh and access roads are almost non-existent. Temperatures are between -60°C in winter and +40°C in summer.

Charoite belongs to the large group of silicates. It is essentially composed of complex hydrosilicate of potassium, calcium, sodium, barium and strontium. It also has presences of materials such as iron, aluminum, manganese. Its presence is found only in the metasomatic rocks of the Aldan massif. It was formed in temperatures of 200 to 250 degrees, in the presence of calcium and potassium. It has a monoclinic crystal system with the presence of a symmetrical axis. It has a hardness of 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, which means that it is a relatively fragile mineral.

Charoite has a glassy or pearly luster, with a beautiful purple tint, ranging from mauve to lilac, even purple or sometimes white. There are many collectors because of its rarity and its magnificent beauty. This fine stone is widely used in jewelry where it is polished and often cut into cabochons. It can be sculpted to make objects of art or ornament.

The two deposits are in India and Russia.

In Lithotherapy, charoite is renowned for being a transformation mineral. It converts the negative into positive, fights against phobias and obsessions. It promotes introspection and allows one to free oneself from old fears, often linked to childhood. It helps get rid of trauma and allows you to move forward.

Wearing a charoite encourages analytical thinking and removes obsessions. In this way, it acts effectively against fanatical behavior. Furthermore, it increases intuition and wisdom. It can help release stress and negative thoughts. It relieves anxiety and thus promotes better management of emotions.

It encourages acceptance of life in general while allowing better management of the difficulties encountered. It also causes openness towards others and gives better self-confidence. It reduces the obsession with always having more, especially at the material level and thus reduces non-essential needs.

Charoite makes it easier to fall asleep and provides extremely restorative quality sleep. It dispels night terrors or nightmares. Having a restful sleep allows you to face the day calmly. This stone can be very effective against nervous exhaustion or states of intense sadness.