gemstone
Alexandrite and Diamond
Chrysoberyl (BeAl2O4)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, orthorhombic crystal system, and a distinct color-change property shifting from green in daylight to red in incandescent light.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale, vitreous luster, orthorhombic crystal system, and a distinct color-change property shifting from green in daylight to red in incandescent light.
Formation & geological history
Forms in metamorphic environments where beryllium-rich pegmatites interact with chromium-bearing ultramafic rocks.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as a rare and precious gemstone in fine jewelry and as a collector's specimen.
Geological facts
First discovered in Russia's Ural Mountains in the 1830s, alexandrite was named in honor of Tsar Alexander II and exhibits the famous 'alexandrite effect'.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its remarkable pleochroism and dramatic color shift under different light sources, historically sourced from Russia, Sri Lanka, and Brazil.
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