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Andalusite

by Sondra Francis - © Gem Dealers' Secrets - Handbook for the Gem Buyer - 1999
Andalusite is an unusual stone. It shows flashes of several different earth tones in the same stone. Because of its combination of colors, it has been called "poor man's alexandrite," but it does not look like alexandrite at all. Andalusite has very strong trichroism; if you examine the green stones carefully, you can see green running in one direction and a reddish brown color in the other direction. The third color, yellow, is difficult to see with out a dicroscope. Andalusite was named after Andalusia, Spain where it was first discovered. Today it is mined in Brazil and Sri Lanka.

Andalusite, 4.75 carats, Brazil
(Photo by ICA Bart Curren)

Andalusite is not a common stone, but it can be found by the gem enthusiast. You probably won't run across a large selection of andalusite, but the best stones are those that have the strongest colors generally with a dark green predominating. Andalusite that appears washed out will be of lower value. It is slightly fragile because it is brittle and has perfect cleavage in one direction. Large stones, over five carats, are rare; stones smaller than this fall in the low price range in per carat price.

Colors: Pinkish, green and brown
R.I.: l.63 - l.64
Durability: Slightly fragile
S.G.: 3.l6 - 3.20
Treatment: None known
Hardness: 7 - 7 1/2
Availability: Supply available in stones up to 5 carats
Localities: Brazil and Sri Lanka
Price: Low to moderate
Common shapes: Cushions, ovals and rounds

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All rights reserved internationally. Copyright © Sondra Francis. Users have permission to download the information and share it as long as no money is made-no commercial use of this information is allowed without permission in writing from Sondra Francis.

About the Author
Sondra Francis has scoured every major colored gemstone market in the world since 1978. She was a charter member of the American Gemstone Association and served as a board member. She was a founding member of the International Colored Gemstone Association. A true gem lover, Sondra has marketed her treasures on the wholesale and retail markets.

Acknowledgments
A special thanks to Pam Dulgar, Alex Edwards, Cheryl Kremkow, Kate Kirby, Helen Mitchell, Carol Morgan Page, David Pond, Elaine Proffitt, and Ray Zajicek for their help.
Photographs: Bart Curren and ICA Gembureau ; Alex Edwards, Pearl Sales Institute ; David Dikinis
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