Sugilite

Q: What is Sugilite?

苏吉莱特是一种罕见的紫色至品红色的锂钾钠锰铁硅酸盐矿物，以其鲜艳的紫色为宝石界所珍视，被誉为"千年宝石"或"爱的宝石"。主要产自南非卡拉哈里锰矿区（以宝石级品质著称），日本和加拿大也有少量产出。以日本宝石学家杉健一命名，深色品种尤为珍贵，常被切割成素面宝石或用于雕刻。

Q: What is the hardness of Sugilite?

Sugilite has a Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6.5, making it moderate for use in jewelry.

Q: How much does Sugilite cost?

Sugilite falls into the Budget (< $50/ct) price range. Prices vary based on color, clarity, cut, and origin.

Q: What is the crystal system of Sugilite?

Sugilite belongs to the Hexagonal crystal system.

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Physical & Optical Properties

Category Semi-Precious Gems

Mohs Hardness 5.5 – 6.5

Specific Gravity 2.69 – 2.79

Refractive Index 1.607 – 1.612

Crystal System Hexagonal

Luster Resinous

Cleavage Poor

Fracture Sub-Conchoidal

Color various

Birefringence 0.003

Pleochroism Weak

Mohs Hardness

Mohs hardness of Sugilite shown against the ten reference minerals, from talc (1) to diamond (10).

Mohs	Reference mineral	Sugilite
1	Talc
2	Gypsum
3	Calcite
4	Fluorite
5	Apatite
6	Orthoclase	●
7	Quartz
8	Topaz
9	Corundum
10	Diamond

Crystal System

Value & Market

Price Tier Budget (< $50/ct)

Where to Buy Sugilite

Blue Nile Fine jewelry retailer

James Allen Gemstone jewelry

Brilliant Earth Ethically sourced gems

Amazon Wide selection

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Treatments

It has been noted by J.Call (unpublished observation) that dark purple sugilite can be lightened by heating at about 450�C; the product may have a banded appearance - Nassau (1984) May be mixed with chalcedony - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 5 5.5 to 6.5Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references 2.69 to 2.79Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references PoorArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) Sub-ConchoidalArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) 1.607 to 1.612Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references Uniaxial/-Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references 0.003 to 0.005Michael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references WeakAnthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001) Violet, purple-redUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references Purple, Mn3+ and Fe3+ presumably in octahedral coordinationW. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011) Translucent,OpaqueHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) Opaque to semi-transparentMore from other references ResinousWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references HexagonalHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references MassiveMichael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references Sugilite occurs in an aegirine-bearing syenite stock in biotite granite in bedded manganese deposits.Michael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references Sugilite information at mindat.org South Africa  Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 457 Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 457 Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 457