PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- GROUP Oxides
- COMPOSITION BeAl2O4
- COLOR Green, yellow
- CRYSTALLINE SYSTEM Rhombic
- CRYSTALLINE HABIT Tabular, coarse prismatic
- HARDNESS 8.5
- FRACTURE Unequal to conchoidal
- EXFOLIATION Imperfect
- GLOSS Vitreous
- STRIP Colorless
- TRANSPARENCY From transparent to translucent
- SPECIFIC WEIGHT 3.7
- REFRACTIVE INDEX 1.74 - 1.75
MINERALOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Alexandrite is a gem variety of chrysoberyl very scarce and appreciated. It is a highly resistant aluminum and beryl oxide, only corundum (ruby and sapphire) and the diamond exceed its hardness. It normally appears in pegmatites (igneous rock) and in micaschists (metamorphic rock composed of mica, quartz and other minerals). It has the peculiarity of changing color: in natural light it is green and under artificial light it is red. The alexandrite was named after the Russian Tsar Alexander II , and is said to have been discovered in the Urals on his birthday in 1930.
Deposits: Russia, Sri Lanka, Brazil and Madagascar.
THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES
The alexandrite is considered a stone of cleaning, purification and regeneration. It favors intuition, mood and open-mindedness. It enhances self-confidence, compassion and creativity. Alexandrite is said to be a stone of personal and spiritual strength.
