Sugilite

Sugilite is an unusual deep purple stone from Southern Africa. Laced with Manganese, it often displays a variety of black, brown and blue lines and patches creating a unique mottled effect. Sometimes referred to as "Purple Turquoise" Sugilite is a rare gem type named for Ken-ichi Sugi, the Japanese geologist who discovered it in 1944. Although Sugilite is not related to turquoise in any way it does share some of that stone's characteristics.

While Sugilite does not form well-shaped crystals it does come in large sizes. The best quality Sugilite displays a distinctive opaque purple color, but it also comes in brown to yellow, pale pink and even black. Often matched with turquoise, malachite and coral, polished Sugilite stones are mostly opaque with an almost waxy luster and a deep reddish purple color.

Sugilite is becoming more and more popular amongst jewelry designers as it is both a colorful and distinctive stone and as it is available in large sizes it makes for some impressive pieces.

Chemically Sugilite is composed of Potassium Sodium Lithium Iron Manganese Aluminum Silicate (KNa2Li3(Fe, Mn, Al)2Si12O30) with a Specific Gravity of 2.75 - 2.80, and a hardness of 6 - 6.5 on the Moh's Scale. Sugilite is found on Iwagi Island, Shikoku, Japan; Mt. Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada and South Africa.

Metaphysically, Sugilite is said to emanate a protective energy, especially for gentle people and children who don't easily screen out the negativity of others. It is especially helpful to those who feel themselves to be gentle spirits who are shocked by the harshness of human interaction here on earth. For them Sugilite may provide a nurturing vibration which allows for the screening out of hostility, anger and fear.