Sugilite
What is Sugilite?
Sugilite is a relatively rare pink to purple cyclosilicate mineral. It’s primarily found in Japan, Canada, and South Africa. Sugilite is often used as a gemstone and is popular for its vibrant colors and its spiritual significance.
Sugilite is a vibrant gemstone that comes in shades of pink to purple. Its unique appearance and color make it a popular choice for jewelry and decorative items, especially beads and pendants.
| Chemical Classification | Inorganic - Silicate |
| Color | Ranges from pinkish-purple to deep bluish-purple. |
| Streak | White |
| Luster | Vitreous to resinous. |
| Transparency | Opaque to translucent. |
| Occurrence | South Africa (especially the Wessels Mine in the Northern Cape), Japan, and Canada. |
| Formation | Formed in manganese-rich metamorphic rocks. |
| Diaphaneity | Translucent to opaque |
| Cleavage | Perfect in two directions |
| Mohs Hardness | 5.5 - 6.5. |
| Specific Gravity | Approximately 2.74 - 2.80. |
| Diagnostic Properties | Purple, often with black or brown matrix. |
| Chemical Composition | KNa2(Fe,Mn,Al)2Li3Si12O30 |
| Pleochroism | Not observable due to its typical opacity. |
| Crystal System | Hexagonal |
| Optical Properties | Biaxial (+) |
| Refractive Index | 1.607 |
| Birefringence | 0.009 |
| 2V angle | Measured: 58° |
| Dispersion | Not typically noted due to its opacity. |