Charoite Pendant – Freeform Copper Setting

$125.00

Natural Charoite “starburst”

Description

Freeform Copper set cabochon of gorgeous Russian Charoite. This stone is a 100% naturally occurring charoite and exhibits a stunning starburst effect. The overall weight of the piece is about 10 grams – the setting is about one and a quarter inch tall one and a 1/16 wide and 3/8 deep. The bale can accommodate a larger chain. It is available on the leather cord shown or a sterling box chain at this price – please indicate the style and length to include in the comment section. The 16″ leather with 3″ sterling extender will be sent if not specified.

From Wikipedia

Charoite (K(Ca,Na)2Si4O10(OH,F)·H2O) is a rare silicate mineral, first described in 1978 and named for the Chara River. It has been reported only from the Sakha Republic, Siberia, Russia. It is found where a syenite of the Murunskii Massif has intruded into and altered limestone deposits producing a potassium feldspar metasomatite.

Charoite is translucent lavender to purple in color with a pearly luster. Charoite is strictly massive in nature, and fractures are conchoidal. It has an unusual swirling, fibrous appearance, sometimes chatoyant, and that, along with its intense color, can lead many to believe at first that it is synthetic or enhanced artificially.

Though reportedly discovered in the 1940s, it was not known to most of the world until its description in 1978.