Purpurite is a manganese iron phosphate mineral with an orthorhombic crystal structure.
Its manganese and iron content is responsible for its reddish purple to deep rose colour. The greater the amount of manganese and iron in the stone, the darker its shade.
Specimens with only trace amounts of manganese and iron can have a lavender or pink colour.
The Physical Properties of Purpurite
It is an opaque stone with a dull, satiny lustre. In terms of hardness, purpurite is rated only 4 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale.
This makes the mineral too soft for jewellery applications. Although lapidaries fashion purpurite into cabochons in a way that reveals its striking purplish rose colour.
Purpurite can be confused with charoite and sugilite due to their colours. But purpurite is the rarest of the three and the least likely to be carved or cabbed.
Another feature to remember is that purpurite is softer and has a purple streak.
Whereas charoite and sugilite are harder (with a hardness of 5 to 6 and 6 to 6.5 respectively) and have white streaks.
A scratch test on a hard, white surface can reveal the kind of streak a mineral has.
The History of Purpurite
Purpurite grows on the surface of the phosphate mineral triphylite.
It results from the process of oxidation, or the process wherein a chemical substance changes after the addition of oxygen. Purpurite can also occur by itself as crystal masses.
The first purpurite specimens to be discovered were found in 1905 by geologist L.C. Graton and mineralogist W.T. Schaller. They derived the name of the mineral from the latin word purpureus (meaning purple read) which is a reference to its gorgeous hues.
Finest purpurites are found in France, North Carolina in the USA, and in Western Australia.
The Lore of Purpurite
Since purpurite was only discovered 100 years ago, it is not associated with any legendary tales. But according to health folklore, it is believed to treat cuts, bruises, wounds, and bleeding.
It is used to lower blood pressure, reduce heart palpitations, and minimize the effects of sunburn and stomach acidity. Purpurite is also believed to help overcome tiredness.
It is also said that purpurite is helpful in the successful sale of a property. It carries energies that block any disputes or disagreements that may prevent a house from being bought.
The Metaphysical Properties of Purpurite
There are various metaphysical benefits linked to wearing and meditating with a purpurite stone. The purple mineral can unblock and energize the crown chakra and third eye chakra.
Working with purpurite can widen your consciousness and increase your wisdom. This results in a greater understanding of your personal truths as well as things and situations around you.
And when your third eye chakra is open, you can have visions about your life and even have the ability to comprehend them.
Having a perceptive understanding of this information will allow you to make the necessary changes in your life.
Purpurite can clarify your mind and connect you with your spirit guides. This is the role purpurite plays in your ascension process.
Purpurite is also called the stone of freedom. It liberates you from mindsets and psychological barriers that hinder your personal growth.
It instills in you the courage to step out of your comfort zone; to break away from familiar situations that don't nurture your growth and instead run toward opportunities that widen your perspective and skills set.
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