Sugulite Beads

Sugulite beads are made from a mineral that is a silicate 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 jewelry making scene, it may be unfamiliar to many. It is also called sugilite, luvulite, royal lavulite, and royal azel.

The reason the stone is rather high priced is that the South Afican mine must remove it from 3,200 feet below surface level. This is a feat only possible with expensive modern mining technology. Add this to the fact that the single producing mine has a monopoly on sugulite production, and it's easy to explain the price. However, among all the opaque gemstone beads, sugulite is one of the most beautiful with its deep dark royal purple, lavender, and orchid coloration. It pairs well with rose quartz, serpentine, pink tourmaline, lemon topaz, picture jasper, moukaite, moonstone, amethyst, and aragonite.

There are many more esoteric characteristics attributed to the stone, such as healing abilities, stress reduction, etc.

common treatments: none

special care: avoid impact, abrasion, harsh chemicals

hardness: 6 - 6.5