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Alexandrite: Mineral Information Page

A rare color-change variety of the mineral CHRYSOBERYL

Links To Alexandrite Information Topics On This Page:
Alexandrite Items in our VIRTUAL GALLERY
Physical Properties
Background Info
Occurance and Diagnostic Features
History and Uses
Metaphysical Properties

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PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

• Alexandrite Chemical composition: BeAl₂O₄ (small scale replacement of alumina by chromic oxide causes alexandrite's characteristic colors)
• Class: oxides
• Crystal system: orthorombic; 2/m2/m2/m
• Crystal habit: prismatic crystals are elongated on c, and often tabular on {001}, with striations parallel to [100]
• Twinning: commonly twinned on {130} resulting in a triangular or kite shaped form, repeated cyclic twinning produces pseudohexagonal "trillings"
• Specific gravity: 3.68 - 3.75
• Index of refraction: 1.745 - 1.759
• Birefringence: weak (0.008-0.011)
• Pleochroism: strong, X= red-purple, Y= orange, Z= green
• Hardness: 8.5
• Color: green in daylight and red-violet in incandescent light.
• Luster: vitreous to greasy
• Transparency: transparent
• Cleavage: distinct on {011} perfect, indistinct on {010}, and poor on {100}
• Fracture: conchoidal, brittle
• Streak: white

CHRYSOBERYL BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Chrysoberyl (BeAl₂O₄) is a rare oxide mineral. It most often occurs in shades of yellow to green to brown. There are two very rare varieties of chrysoberyl, the color changing alexandrite and the chatoyant cymophane (cat's eye), which are highly prized as gemstones owing to their unique optical properties.

Index of Alexandrite information topics

OCCURRENCE AND DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES

Alexandrite is a very rare mineral variety of chrysoberyl (BeAl₂O₄), which occurs in granitic pegmatites and mica schists. Small scale replacement in chrysoberyl of alumina by chromic oxide results in the formation of the variety alexandrite and is responsible for alexandrite's characteristic green to red color change.

Alexandrite is characterized by its high hardness and specific gravity and its color change in daylight versus incandescent light. Some well formed crystals can be recognizied as chrysoberyl by their characteristic twinning.

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HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND USES

Alexandrite was first discovered in 1831 in an emerald mining region of the Ural Mountains in the Soviet Union. It is said to have been first discovered on the day that the Russian czar Alexander II came of age. Thus it was named "alexandrite" in his honor by the mineralogist Nordenskjold. It is an interesting coincidence that the Russian national colors are green and red.

Alexandrite is used as a gemstone. Faceted alexandrite gemstones with good color change are considered very valuable, even when visible inclusions are present.

The astrological sign of alexandrite is scorpio.
Alexandrite is the birthstone for the month of June.
Alexandrite is the symbolic gemstone for the 45^th wedding anniversary.

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Alexandrite is said to help balance one's emotional state, to provide confidence, to increase self-esteem and to help bring about change. It is also said to bring happiness and success, and to intensify feelings of love and sensuality.

Alexandrite is said to be usefull to help treat pancreatic disorders, swollen lymph nodes and ailments of the spleen, as well as in the treatment of afflictions occurring with leukemia.

For more in-depth metaphysical information, see our Metaphysical Books section.

This is the end of our Alexandrite Factsheet and Information page.