Sugilite
Sugilite is found only in South Africa
and is a byproduct of mining for manganese ore. It is only found in
very deep shafts about 2 miles deep. It appears as a medium to dark
violet, opaque to translucent. It ranges from 4.5 - 6.5 on the Mohs'
scale of
hardness.
The very best quality comes as a translucent material. It has the
value about the same as
turquoise or good
lapis.
