Charoite is a truly rare, complex Siberian stone that is difficult to replicate. Visually, it offers rich royal purple swirls, stars, specks, and splashes. But beyond that, the transmutation and stimulation this rock offers are unmistakably unique.
Today, we’ll explore all things charoite, from where to find it and what it does, how to avoid confusing it with other stones, and what its best benefits are.
Technically speaking, charoite is a silicate mineral formed through contact metamorphism. Two factors make it rare. First, it contains more elements than most rocks, including sodium, potassium, barium, calcium, and more. These additional minerals help create the pattern, but it’s the charoite itself that lends the characteristic lilac-to-deep purple coloring.
Second, and most importantly, it can only be found in one place in the entire world: near the Chara River in the Murun Massif, Northwest Aldan, Sakha Republic, Siberia, Russia.
Charoite rates a 5 to 6 on the Mohs hardness scale, so while it is suitable for jewelry, it does scratch a bit more easily than other stones.
Many people wonder whether charoite is radioactive. The simple answer is no, at least not more radioactive than the rest of Earth’s dirt and stone. Data collected from charoite rated its radioactivity as “barely detectable.”
Low levels of radioactivity can usually be attributed to any traces of potassium in charoite.
Many say that the mineral charoite is named for the Chara River. However, other sources assert that its name is a variation of “chary” which is a word for “magic” in Russian. Either is apt, but the former is most likely the true origin of its name.
As for its history, charoite does not have a long one, at least as it pertains to the modern record. It is said that it was discovered between 1947 and 1949, less than one century ago.
Locals likely knew about charoite, but the visiting scientist performing geological fieldwork in the area classified it as cummingtonite, a known amphibole mineral. Therefore, it wasn’t declared its own mineral on the market until the 1970s.
How did this error happen? To be fair, raw, weathered charoite does not look like anything special. This is particularly true if the exposed portion also has bits of soil and debris stuck to the surface. But when cleaned, cut, and polished, there’s little else like it.
Next, let’s see what others have said about the healing properties of charoite. Though it may not have thousands of years of history behind it, energy workers and crystal healers quickly adopted it into their regimens.
Keep in mind that no stone, including charoite, is a replacement for medical treatment. Follow all protocols advised by a healthcare professional.
As we’ll explore more in-depth later in this section, charoite is associated with perseverance and overcoming all challenges, including physical illness. So, while this may be considered more of an emotional healing property, anyone with a physical condition (or someone caring for the sick) may benefit from charoite.
According to various comprehensive works such as Cassandra Eason’s The Crystal Bible and Michael Gienger’s Healing Crystals, charoite is recommended to those who suffer severe sleep disturbances, like sleepwalking, nightmares, or chronic insomnia.
It is also associated with the eyes, heart, liver, and pancreas. Many even recommend it for menstrual disorders, as it’s said to be good for pain relief, from the head to the abdomen.
Indeed, charoite seems to cast a wide net in terms of healing purposes. Researchers claim it can be soothing and grounding, but also stimulating, depending on what the owner needs. Therefore, it may be a good stone for overwork and exhaustion for some, and a good regulator of blood pressure for others.
Charoite may also be given to children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The purpose here isn’t to “heal” but to unlock potential and soothe irritation and frustration common with the disorder.
To that end, some also recommend it to those with anxiety disorders as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Even without disordered behavior, negativity can take hold of our lives, underpinning a lot of our choices, reactions, and ways of being. Charoite is said to help loosen up those hardened layers of negativity, worry, and stress, provoking real and drastic change.
It’s also considered a stone for the lost and lonely. Just as those prone to fear and negativity use charoite to get free and move forward, people who feel the burden of being all alone in the world may find acceptance of this path.
Ultimately, releasing your dependence on others can bring them closer to you. Examining your fears and identifying what you can change and what you cannot can be incredibly liberating, as well as help you relate to other people. The end result is that you might not feel so lonely, with or without the physical presence of others.
If you find yourself caught up in other people’s problems and would like a healthier perspective, look no further than charoite. The stone is said to clarify and separate what’s true and important from what isn’t.
It’s also regarded as a stone of spiritual strength, which is why it’s so often given to healers and caretakers. People working on their psychic abilities also love charoite, as it’s supposed to eliminate or protect one from unbalanced or negative energies.
Finally, some users claim that charoite helps us access parts of the brain less known, giving the gift of multidimensional sight.
If you want to see if the reported benefits of charoite can enhance your life in some way, try one or a few of the following methods.
If your primary goals are stress management and regulating your energy and blood flow, letting charoite jewelry tough your body all day long is a good place to start. Some even say charoite jewelry supports the body’s natural detoxification processes, toning the liver and clearing the skin.
Burnt-out people who need better quality rest, as well as those with trouble sleeping, should keep charoite in bed with them. Tuck it between two pillows or slip it inside of your pillowcase to encourage more restful sleep.
Some stones, such as types of quartz, aventurine, citrine, carnelian, and jade can be added directly to your bath for soothing and energy healing. In addition to these, a charoite tower or orb placed on the edge of the tub can “moderate” the energies, help filter out what’s being washed away, and guard the area against distraction and negativity.
Note that charoite should not be placed in water for a prolonged time; keep it near the water and do not submerge it. It may degrade the stone.
Meditating with charoite will be more effective if you choose an objective for the meditation, such as clear vision, dissolving fear, or turning dark into light. Sit upright in a classic meditation posture. You can place the charoite in your lap or your open, upright-facing palm.
Conversely, you could use it for chakra work.
Charoite is a balm for the heart, third eye, and crown chakras. It can help unite the three, opening the heart, expanding your cosmic vision, and supporting your spiritual transformation.
Many who engage in chakra meditations place a small piece of polished charoite in the center of their foreheads, just above the eyes. Because this chakra is between the heart and crown, it is a center point to unite the three.
Charoite has been associated with every element, but mostly air and water. Many sources cannot agree on one key element for charoite.
As we see with its healing properties and chakra associations, charoite is considered relevant to multiple areas and concepts.
Due to how recently it’s hit the market, charoite isn’t officially assigned a zodiac mate. However, many who use it report that it’s beneficial for the signs Sagittarius and Scorpio.
Those with big Sagittarius placements can temper some of their flakiness with the grounding powers of charoite. Being that it’s also a big illusion-buster, it might inspire their Sagittarian owners to be a bit more realistic.
Transformation is daily work for Scorpios, making charoite a must for insight, deep knowledge, and letting go. It can also lighten the heavy burden Scorpios tend to place on themselves.
Some also recommend charoite for Virgos. This is likely because a textbook Virgo may be more prone to obsession, perfection, and anxiety. Charoite can help Virgo release the need for complete control, alleviating frustration.
Most people don’t go around trying to fool people with fake charoite, but due to how its patterns and hues differ, it does get mistaken for other stones sometimes.
First, as we learned earlier, raw charoite is dull. It’s only lustrous when polished.
Next, look at the color composition. Charoite can contain all shades of purple, plus some accents of light brown, black, white, and even greenish-gray.
Finally, inspect the pattern. If its waves, swirls, and specks are irregular, it’s more than likely the real deal. It rarely looks completely uniform.
As for an ideal piece, look for the richest shades of purple. Intense colors and interesting patterns make a piece more desirable.
There is no such thing as Chinese charoite. Genuine charoite is only found in Siberia, Russia.
In cases where sellers claim a stone is Chinese charoite, it’s usually actually Chinese purple fluorite shaped and polished a particular way. These are nice stones to have as well, but it’s not charoite, and the properties are quite different.
Sugilite is another stone that gets confused with charoite. Both are purple with some differently colored accents, but sugilite lacks the patterns seen with charoite.
Another factor separating them is that polished charoite can be chatoyant. With chatoyance, the luster of a polished stone varies, making it seem as though a band of bright, changeable light is emanating from within the piece.
If you’re having trouble picturing this, think of tiger’s eye; it’s probably the most popular chatoyant stone we’re familiar with.
Whether you want to remove dust or blast away dull energies, gently rinse your charoite in lukewarm water and dry completely right away. Do not let charoite sit submerged in water or wash it too frequently, as it could wear away at the stone or make it more susceptible to breakage.
To keep it clear of outside energies until the next use, place it on or near some selenite. The simplest way to keep crystals clean with selenite is by putting them in a selenite dish, which is inexpensive and easy to find. You can also use selenite wands.
When you’re ready to recharge your charoite for maximum power, use one of three methods:
Feeling disconnected? Lost in a struggle? Exhausted with nothing left to give? Nervous, worried, restless? Charoite doesn’t just want to ease fears and let you retreat peacefully. It’s ready to take you to the next level.
If illness, anxiety, or loneliness have seemingly robbed you of the will to move forward, it’ll show you that you can in fact continue. It’s a stone of great strength and perseverance, keeping you engaged and aware on the path of transformation.
Charoite is also a relatively new mineral that can only be mined from one place, adding to its appeal and intrigue. Add a piece to your collection soon and become a part of its unfolding history.
