Description
Charoite, Natural, Faceted Round, 4mm Strand
This price is for one strand 15" to 16" long
4mm strands have 115 to 120 pieces
Charoite is a rare silicate mineral, first described in 1978 and named for the Chara River in Siberia, Russia. Technically Charoite is a rock, however, it is almost purely composed of the mineral charoite. Its characteristic swirling pattern is due to its fibrous crystals arrayed in complex, interlocking patterns. The mix of other minerals with colors of orange, pale greenish grey, and greenish black. Due to this mixture and chatoyancy, Charoite also produces scenic stones, pieces that show so-called “natural pictures” that may resemble landscapes or even objects.
Though reportedly discovered in the 1940s, it was not known to most of the world until its description in 1978. It is said to be opaque and unattractive when found in the field; a fact that may have contributed to its late recognition. With light to medium dark purple colors and swirling patterns, charoite is one of the few gemstones so distinctive that a gemologist can make a sight identification with confidence. No other material is likely to be mistaken for it.
Hardness 5 to 6
This is a natural stone that has had no treatment other than cutting, drilling, and polishing
The source of these beads is Russia and they are cut, drilled and polished in China
