Charoite Photos       
Cochise College                                                                                                                
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Roger Weller, geology instructor                       

wellerr@cochise.edu

Charoite
last edited:  12/20/07    number of photos:  8
Charoite is K(Ca, Na)₂Si₄O₁₀(OH, F).H₂O                                   
hardness: 5-6

cabochons
charoite cabochons:  A  B  C  D

charoite in jewelry
charoite beads:  A

charoite, polished

charoite carvings:  A

polished charoite slabs:  A  B

Photos are copyright free for non-commercial educational uses. 
Just credit photos to R.Weller/Cochise College.
copyright 2007-R.Weller

information on charoite
     Charoite was discovered in 1976 along the Charo River in Siberia. 
The black needle-like inclusions are aegirine-augite, the orange-colored patches are
tinkasite, and the transparent zones are microcline feldspar.
      Because of its fibrous nature, charoite has a tendency to chip and splinter and undercut. 
Therefore it needs to be worked with diamond abrasives. Charoite has a hardness of 6 on Mohs scale.