Purpurite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Purpurite is too soft for jewelry wear and never transparent. Nevertheless, lapidaries have cut cabochons from this material with magnificent purplish rose hues.
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Purpurite is too soft for jewelry wear and never transparent. Nevertheless, lapidaries have cut cabochons from this material with magnificent purplish rose hues.
What is Purpurite?
Purpurite forms a mineral series as the manganese-dominant (Mn) end member to the iron-dominant (Fe) end member heterosite. Both end members have similar colors and properties, but purpurites occur far more rarely than heterosites.
How Can You Distinguish Purpurite from Sugilite and Charoite?
Sugilites and charoites can look like purpurites and show the same purple colors. Keep in mind that purpurite is the rarest of these three gem materials and is also the least likely to be found cabbed or carved.
Despite appearances, there are numerous differences between these materials. Purpurite has a much higher, over-the-limit refractive index. Physically, purpurite has a softer hardness (4-4.5) than sugilite (6-6.5) and charoite (5-6) as well as a purple streak. Sugilite and charoite have white streaks. However, scratch and streak tests aren't recommended for finished gemstones.
The easiest way to distinguish these gems is a specific gravity (SG) test. Purpurite has a much greater SG value (3.69) than sugilite (2.74) and charoite (2.54-2.78).
Is There Any Synthetic Purpurite?
Scientists have synthesized purpurites for mineralogical research. However, despite purpurite's rarity and attractive color, it's unlikely there is any consumer demand for this lab-created material. This gemstone is too little known to generate much of a market and too soft for jewelry wear.
Mineral specimens may receive acid treatments to enhance their purple color.
Where are Purpurites Found?
Usakos, Namibia produces rich, purplish masses in abundance and at low cost. Most gem-quality material comes from this location.
Other notable sources include the following
- United States: California; Maine; North Carolina; South Dakota.
- Western Australia; France; Portugal.
Stone Sizes
Cabochons up to several inches long can be cut from cleavages.
How to Care for Purpurites
Avoid cleaning purpurites with mechanical cleaning systems, like steam and ultrasound. Clean these gemstones only with a soft brush, mild detergent, and warm water. Consult our gemstone jewelry cleaning guide for more care recommendations.
Joel E. Arem, Ph.D., FGA
Dr. Joel E. Arem has more than 60 years of experience in the world of gems and minerals. After obtaining his Ph.D. in Mineralogy from Harvard University, he has published numerous books that are still among the most widely used references and guidebooks on crystals, gems and minerals in the world.
Co-founder and President of numerous organizations, Dr. Arem has enjoyed a lifelong career in mineralogy and gemology. He has been a Smithsonian scientist and Curator, a consultant to many well-known companies and institutions, and a prolific author and speaker. Although his main activities have been as a gem cutter and dealer, his focus has always been education. joelarem.com
International Gem Society
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