Enter our Virtual Gallery of Alexandrite Mineral Specimens and Alexandrite Crystals

---

MINERALMINERS.COM_®- Your Personal 'Link' Direct to the Alexandrite Mines!_TM

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:
(Follow any link to enter our Virtual Gallery)

ALEXANDRITE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

• Alexandrite Chemical composition: BeAl₂O₄ (small scale replacement of alumina by chromic oxide causes alexandrite's characteristic colors)
• Class: oxides
• Alexandrite Crystal system: orthorombic; 2/m2/m2/m
• Alexandrite Crystal habit: prismatic crystals are elongated on c, and often tabular on {001}, with striations parallel to [100]
• Alexandrite Twinning: commonly twinned on {130} resulting in a triangular or kite shaped form, repeated cyclic twinning produces pseudohexagonal "trillings"
• Alexandrite Specific gravity: 3.68 - 3.75
• Alexandrite 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 change chrysoberyl variety known as alexandrite and the chatoyant cymophane (cats eye chrysoberyl), which are highly prized as gemstones owing to their unique optical properties.

Return to the Index of Alexandrite Information Topics

ALEXANDRITE GEOLOGIC 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 recognized as chrysoberyl by their characteristic twinning.

Return to the Index of Alexandrite Information Topics

ALEXANDRITE HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND ALEXANDRITE 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 gems with good color change are considered very valuable, even when visible inclusions are present.

The astrological sign of alexandrite is scorpio.
The traditional birthstone gift for the month of June is natural alexandrite earrings or jewelry.
Natural alexandrite is the symbolic gemstone for the 45^th wedding anniversary.

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES of ALEXANDRITE

Wearing a natural alexandrite necklace or other natural alexandrite jewelry is said to help balance one's emotional state, to provide confidence, to increase self-esteem and to help bring about change. Using natural alexandrite jewelry such as alexandrite rings or alexandrite earrings is also said to bring happiness and success, and to intensify feelings of love and sensuality. Holding a raw alexandrite is said to have the same effects.

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.

Genuine Alexandrite Products in our Online Store

Each of our alexandrite jewelry designs is a hand crafted design. We have a variety of genuine alexandrite jewelry designs available: