Sugilite
Australia
15.15 carats
© gemselect.com
Sugilite most commonly forms compact masses with a light brownish yellow to a bright magenta colour. The material yields attractive cabochons, beads, ornamental objects. Semi-transparent stones are occasionally faceted. Crystal specimens are very rare.
Sugilite is also known as Wesselite, because translucent facetable material of intense purple colour was found in the Wessels Manganese Mine near Hotazel, South Africa.
The name Cybelene has also been used for Sugilite.
Sugilite Gemstones by Colour
This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
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Sugilite Gemstones by Size
This table shows distribution of Sugilite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:12.41 cts
Heaviest:74.11 cts
Average:27.41 cts
Total photos:21
Do you have a larger Sugilite? Why not upload a photo?
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| Chemical Formula |
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| Sugilite 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| It has been noted by J.Call (unpublished observation) that dark purple sugilite can be lightened by heating at about 450°C; the product may have a banded appearance - Nassau (1984) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sugilite Simulants | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| May be mixed with chalcedony - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Physical Properties of Sugilite | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 5.5 to 6.5, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Specific Gravity | 2.69 to 2.79, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cleavage Quality | Poor, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fracture | Sub-Conchoidal, Gemstones (2009) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Refractive Index | 1.607 to 1.612, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Character | Uniaxial/-, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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