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August 21, 2008
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  Home > Gemstones > Varieties >

Natural Sugulite

Natural Aquamarine Sugulite is a silicate that is colored purple by its lithium and manganese content. It is translucent to opaque, but the translucent sugulite is very rare and expensive.
Sugulite was named for the man who discovered it, Ken-ichi Sugi, in 1944 on Iwagi Island, Shikoku, Japan. It has also been found at Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada and most importantly, South Africa. The only deposit of gem grade sugulite was found in 1975 in the Kalahari Desert in Kuruman, Republic of South Africa. This area is known as the Kuruman Manganese Field and the mine itself is the Wessel Mine. Hence, the sugulite we are offering is from South Africa. Due to its relatively recent arrival on the gemstone scene, it may be unfamiliar to many. It is also called sugilite, luvulite, royal lavulite, and royal azel.

Sorry, Sugulite is out of stock!

Despite our efforts to keep inventory levels for all items very high, sometimes demand is so great that we temporarily run out of something. We know that when you want something it´s nice to get hold of it as soon as possible, so rest assured, we´ll get some more of this item in stock as soon as humanly possible.

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About Sugulite gemstones

Color The African material has a very pleasing purple color. Due to it's lithium and manganese content it also cntains black spots and some of the lesser grades have very light purple to white areas.
Refractive Index 1.607 - 1.610
Pleochroism None
Chemical Composition KNa2Li3(Fe, Mn, Al)2Si12O30
Hardness 6 - 6.5
Crystal Group Hexagonal
Ocurrence South Africa
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