What on Earth Is Purpurite?

Purpurite is a rare, reddish-purple manganese iron phosphate mineral with an orthorhombic crystal structure. It is a collector's favourite for its deep colour, and a popular mineral specimen. Below are its properties, history and traditional meanings.

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 about 100 years ago, it is not associated with legendary tales.

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

In crystal lore, purpurite is associated with the crown chakra and third eye chakra. It is a popular display piece in a specimen display.

People who work with purpurite associate it with wisdom, wider awareness and a greater understanding of personal truths.

In chakra traditions, the third eye is the centre of intuition and vision, which is why purple stones like this one are linked with it.

Purpurite is also associated with spirit guides and spiritual ascension in crystal lore.

Purpurite is also called the stone of freedom. In crystal lore it symbolizes courage to step out of your comfort zone and to run toward opportunities that widen your perspective and skill set.