Sugilite (also spelled "sugalite") is a semi-precious stone that was discovered in 1944. According to Bernardine Fine Art Jewelry, the stone has been found in India, Japan, the Kalahari Desert of South Africa and Canada. It is named after Ken-ichi Sugi, a Japanese geologist who originally discovered the stone.
Color
Sugilite typically has a lavender or purple color--it can range from dark purple to pale lavender with hints of gray. This stone also frequently features blotches of red, brown or yellow. While shades of purple are most common, some specimens of sugilite are entirely pink, yellow, brown or black, according to GemstoneEducation.com.
Opacity
Opacity varies significantly across sugilite grades. Matrixing and opaque blotches are common. Matrixing refers to facets within the gemstone that give the stone a cloudy appearance. According to Bernardine Fine Art Jewelry, translucent specimens with little matrixing are far more valuable than opaque sugilite stones.
Hardness
Sugilite specimens are typically scored between 6 and 7.5 on the Mohs harness scale, according to Bernardine Fine Art Jewelry. The hardness of sugilite is comparable to that of quartz crystal, according to AMFED, making it durable enough to use in gemstone jewelry such as pendants, bracelets and earrings.
Healing
According to Bernardine Fine Art Jewelry, wearing sugilite is thought to promote physical healing and lower stress levels. Those in the metaphysical community also believe that this stone imparts a general feeling of well-being on the wearer.
