Charoite History, Meaning, Healing Properties, Facts, Benefits, and Uses

As a rare and beautiful mineral, charoite is known among jewelry enthusiasts for its intricate patterns along with the distinctive purple color it possesses. Charoite was named after a Russian river, the Chara River, where this gemstone was first discovered in the early 1940s. Having a monoclinic crystal system, charoite is primarily made up of silicates. If you look at any charoite jewelry closely, you will find that one of the most remarkable features it has is the vibrant purple hue of the stone, which ranges from deep violet to lavender. The color of charoite gemstone jewelry is not the only remarkable thing. This gemstone displays beautiful swirling patterns in colors like gray, white, and black, with flecks of gold and bronze at times that end up creating a captivating look that can enchant anyone observing the stone.

Today, we will tell you everything about this beauty that makes it an exceptional gem, like its history, meaning, healing properties, facts, benefits, and uses of this stone. But first, let us start from the very basics – let's first discuss what charoite is.

What is Charoite?

If you look from a mineralogical standpoint, you will find that the composition of this stone is extremely complex – so much so that even credible sources differ on the chemical formula of charoite. Chemically, charoite is a silicate hydroxyfluoride of potassium, calcium, sodium, strontium, and barium. The charoite-rich rocks from which charoite gemstone is mined are called charoitite – inside these rocks, charoite exists as fibrous masses. These fibrous masses create a system of interwoven and intricate patterns, and this is the cause of the beautiful swirls present on charoite gemstones.

Some Interesting Facts Regarding Charoite Gemstone

Below are some of the interesting facts regarding charoite gemstone:

1. Chemical Composition: In simple words, charoite is a complex silicate mineral. The chemical formula of this stone is (K,Sr,Ca)(Na,Mn)_2Si_4O_10(OH,F).

2. Color: The color of this stone ranges from deep violet to pale lavender. Coloration is because of the presence of potassium, calcium, and sodium in trace amounts.

3. Hardness: Charoite gemstone ranks between five and six on the Moh’s Scale.

4. Crystal Structure: Charoite possesses a monoclinic crystal structure.

5. Luster: Generally, this gemstone has glass-like (or vitreous) luster, but some specimens also showcase a pearly luster.

6. Transparency: Charoite stone is translucent in nature, however, some specimens are also opaque.

7. Cleavage: It shows fair to good cleavage.

8. Streaks: It shows white streaks.

9. Luminescence: Sometimes, charoite gemstone shows weak fluorescence.

10. Optical Effects: The highly priced varieties of charoite display chatoyancy.

The Meaning of Charoite Stone

As mentioned above, the word “charoite” is linked to the Chara River that flows in Russia. This river is situated in the Sakha Republic of Russia, and the charoite gemstone was discovered near the Chara River in 1943. This stone is also called the lilac stone because its color ranges from violet to lavender. Other than lilac stone, other popular names of charoite include “the Siberian stone” and “charoite jade”.

If you look at this stone from the spiritual side of things, you will find that charoite is the stone of transformation. Wearing charoite jewelry is especially helpful in clearing and activating the throat chakra and the third eye chakra, and it also does the job of purifying your aura and releasing negativity trapped in your heart and mind. It has been said by many advanced spiritual seekers that charoite gemstone gives great spiritual wisdom, which is why many of them call charoite “the stone of insights”.

Origin and History of Charoite

Although the origin of the name “charoite” is related to the Chara River, some people also suggest another theory. They say that the word “charoite” has been derived from the Russian word chary, which can be roughly translated to “magic” or “charms”. Another possible origin of the charoite word is the Proto-Slavic term “chara”, which means bowl or goblet – which can be related to the fact that charoite cups and bowls were popular in the past.

The local people living in the Republic of Sakha first found charoite near Lake Baikal (which is one of the important lakes of Siberia) in the 1940s. Because of this stone’s color, they named charoite the “lilac stone”. At times, they also called charoite “the lilac miracle of Siberia”. Because Siberia is a remote location, the knowledge of the availability of charoite in this location was quite exclusive for decades to come. This is why the first official recognition of charoite came 40 years after the discovery of the stone. In the year 1970, the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) approved charoite as an authentic gem. Prior to this, people believed that charoite was dyed or fake because this stone had quite vibrant colors.

Healing Properties of Charoite Gemstone

The spiritual community places the charoite gemstone in high regard because they say that this gemstone has many beneficial healing properties. Although we recommend you take a doctor’s advice before substituting your medicines with crystal therapy, it is a common notion among spiritual people that crystals and gemstones are great supporting aids that can be used alongside traditional allopathic and homeopathic medication. Below are a few benefits of the charoite gemstone.

Charoite gemstone helps the wearer to improve blood circulation, and by healing the circulatory system, it fixes problems related to both high blood pressure and low blood pressure. The charoite gemstone is also great for the digestive system – if you are facing indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, or any other digestion-related ailments, try wearing charoite jewelry such as a charoite ring or a charoite pendant – the healing energies of this stone will clean your digestive tract. Last but not least, as a stone that influences the third eye chakra, charoite jewelry can heal insomnia, sleepwalking, sleep apnea, and other ailments that hamper an individual’s sleep.

Benefits of Charoite Stone

Charoite gemstone is highly beneficial for the mind and emotions. As a stone that stabilizes the mood, balances the emotions, and releases an individual’s negative feelings, charoite is truly a wonderful emotional healer. Charoite gemstone can also fix you in case you lack self-confidence – by promoting you to develop healthy self-esteem and by grounding you so as you turn more confident, charoite will make you feel really good about yourself. This stone also enhances the creativity and intuition of an individual, enabling him to channel insights from higher planes of existence, where your spiritual team and your angels reside. Perhaps this is why Charoite is known as the stone of insights.

How to Use Charoite?

If you are skeptical about the healing properties of gemstones and the benefits that any gemstone jewelry provides the user with, then understand that in order to receive the healing benefits of a stone, you need to use it a certain way, and charge it and cleanse it from time to time. People who have experienced the restorative powers of gemstones have documented their knowledge which specifically explains how they were able to correctly use their gemstone – and they have documented this on blogs, books, articles, and other modes of recording information. So, do consider the documented blogs and articles on how to use charoite jewelry for healing. Here are some tips regarding the same:

• While wearing charoite jewelry, like rings, bracelets, or pendants, ensure that the stone touches your skin. Direct contact with the stone is important for inviting the energies of the stone inside your physical body.

• You can also meditate on charoite stone by placing it in your hands, and if you do not get time to meditate, you can carry tumbled charoite stone as a good luck charm.

• In order to receive the healing energies of the stone as you sleep, you can keep the stone under your pillow or place it next to your bed.

• Last but not least, you can keep charoite on your desk so as to invite the healing energies of this stone into the environment where you work. If you want to hide the fact that you use gemstones, you can buy a charoite paperweight or some figurine made of charoite that you would keep on your desk.

Our Final Thoughts on Charoite Gemstone

With that, we have given you every piece of information that is important before you purchase charoite jewelry. Given the beauty of the stone and the various healing properties and benefits this stone offers, charoite definitely deserves a special place in your sterling silver gemstone jewelry collection. Do you wish to purchase charoite jewelry?

If yes, then consider looking at the entire collection of charoite jewelry available at Sagacia Jewelry – we sell statement charoite rings and charoite pendants made in pure 925 sterling silver. These jewelry pieces are all handmade and one-of-a-kind, and you will definitely grab everyone’s attention as you wear these affordable fashion accessories. And if you do not like charoite gemstone jewelry, then no worries – we sell sterling silver gemstone jewelry in other gemstones as well, such as blue agate, amethyst, lapis, larimar, kyanite, and many more. Order the jewelry you like from Sagacia, and get it delivered straight to your doorstep in no time.