Sugilite

Formula: KNa₂(Fe²⁺,Mn²⁺,Al)₂Li₃Si₁₂O₃₀
Mineral class: silicates
Crystal system: hexagonal
Mohs scale: 6 - 6.5
Density (g/cm³): 2.74
Refractive index: 1.607 - 1.611
Cleavage: poor
Colors: yellowish, brownish, violet
Luster: vitreous
Fluorescence: schwach
Pleochroism: -
Largest Sugilite: 2 cm?
Deposits: Australia, Italy, Japan, Canada, South Africa, Tajikistan
Discovery: 1976
1st Description: 1977
Name: in honor of the Japanese geologist Ken-ichi Sugi (1901 - 1948)
History:
• Sugilite was discovered in 1944 by he Japanese geologist Ken-ichi Sugi on the Iwagi Isle / Shikoku / Japan, as small, yellowish crystals.
• Some dark rose crystals were discovered in 1955 in the Indian central province.
• Gem-quality sugilite was discovered in the Wessels Mine / Hotazel / Kuruman / South Africa, in 1975.

Sugilite Mineral

Field of View: 0.2 x 0.2 cm

Origin: Cerchiara Mine / Borghetto Vara / Vara Valley / La Spezia Prov. / Liguria / Italy

Photo: © G. Fretti; by kind permission of © Luigi Chiappino

Sugilite

Size: 1.4 x 0.43 x 0.25 cm
Weight: 1.40 ct
Origin: Wessels Mine / Hotazel / Kalahari Manganese Fields / Northern Cape Province / South Africa

Photo by kind permission of © JewelsRoughGems

Sugilite Suite

Total Weight: 96.46 ct

Sizes: 1.1 x 0.6 - 2.45 x 1.9 cm

Photo: Mia Dixon, by kind permission of © www.palagems.com

Sugilite Mineral

Size: 6.7 x 5.5 x 2.3 cm

Origin: Wessels Mine / Hotazel / Kalahari Manganese Fields / Northern Cape Province / South Africa

Photo by kind permission of © Darlene Cobler

Sugilite Mineral

Origin: Wessels Mine / Hotazel / Kalahari Manganese Fields / Northern Cape Province / South Africa

Photo by kind permission of © www.mineralman.com

Sugilite Mineral

Size: 7.62 x 3.81 x 3.18 cm
Weight: 141.60 g
Origin: Wessels Mine / Hotazel / Kalahari Manganese Fields / Northern Cape Province / South Africa

Photo by kind permission of © JewelsRoughGems

Sugilite Mineral

Origin: Wessels Mine / Hotazel / Kalahari Manganese Fields / Northern Cape Province / South Africa

Photo by kind permission of © www.kox-gems.com

Sugilite

Size: 0.83 x 0.64 cm
Weight: 1.12 ct
Origin: Wessels Mine / Hotazel / Kalahari Manganese Fields / Northern Cape Province / South Africa

Photo by kind permission of © www.thegemtrader.com

Sugilite

Size: 1.9 x 1.05 x 0.4 cm
Weight: 5.95 ct
Origin: Wessels Mine / Hotazel / Kalahari Manganese Fields / Northern Cape Province / South Africa

Photo by kind permission of © JewelsRoughGems

Sugilite

Weight: 3.50 ct

Origin: Musina (former Messina) / Limpopo Province / South Africa

Photo by kind permission of © www.wolfpiontek.de

Sugilite

Weight: 1.86 ct

Origin: Wessels Mine / Hotazel / Kalahari Manganese Fields / Northern Cape Province / South Africa

Photo by kind permission of © www.edelsteine.at

Sugilite Ring

Material: Silver

Photo by kind permission of © www.wolfpiontek.de