CHRYSOBERYL var. ALEXANDRITE. Malyshevo mine, Izumrudnye Kopi, Ekaterinburgskaya Oblast', Middle Urals, Russia. ...

Description

CHRYSOBERYL var. ALEXANDRITE
Malyshevo mine, Izumrudnye Kopi, Ekaterinburgskaya Oblast', Middle Urals, Russia

Is there anyone who is not acquainted with the color change properties of Alexandrite? Almost no other gem material has such a high "brand" recognition factor as this variety of Chrysoberyl. In spite of such high recognition, few members of the general public are aware that this is chiefly due to huge amounts of synthetic material being produced and marketed annually. The percentage of natural Alexandrite in the marketplace is incredibly small, particularly when the possession of a good color change is a criterion. Traditionally, the best material has come from mines near Ekaterinburg in the Urals where it occurs along with Emerald in black mica schist. Crystals are almost always twinned, as is the case with this specimen. It presents as a simple "V" twin overlaying a number of secondary crystals exposed by mechanical means from the black, Biotite schist matrix. The color change is quite pronounced, varying from a wine purple under incandescent lighting to a bluish-green color best seen in outdoors in daylight. The main crystal is ~ 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length and it shows good, glassy luster and no damage.
Overall measurements: 2 x 1.5 x 1 inches (5.1 x 3.8 x 2.5 cm). Offered at no reserve.

Provenance: Rocksmiths [Hoppel Catalog # D0059]


[Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]

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