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Alexandrite

This page kindly sponsored by The Rare Gem LLC
Alexandrite

Carnaíba mining district, Pindobaçu, Bahia, Brazil
Alexandrite

Carnaíba mining district, Pindobaçu, Bahia, Brazil
Alexandrite

Malacacheta, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Alexandrite

Carnaíba mining district, Pindobaçu, Bahia, Brazil
Alexandrite

Carnaíba mining district, Pindobaçu, Bahia, Brazil
Alexandrite

Malacacheta, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Alexandrite

Carnaíba mining district, Pindobaçu, Bahia, Brazil
Alexandrite

Carnaíba mining district, Pindobaçu, Bahia, Brazil
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About AlexandriteHide

Tsar Alexander II
Formula:
BeAl2O4
Name:
Named in 1842 by Nils Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld in honor of Alexander II (1818-81), Czar of Russia, 1855-81.
A variety of Chrysoberyl

Green chromian variety of chrysoberyl (intermediate member of Chrysoberyl-Mariinskite series) that exhibits a color change in natural and artificial light from green to amethystine (Alexandrite effect).

Originally reported from Emerald mines (Izumrudnye Kopi; Malyshevskoye deposit), Malyshevo, Ekaterinburg (Yekaterinburg; Sverdlovsk), Sverdlovskaya Oblast', Urals Region, Russia.

Effective substition of Fe3+ on the mirror-symmetry site has a strong effect to the Cr3+ lifetime, Cr being responsible for the color effects.

Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Alexandrite.


Pronounciation of AlexandriteHide

Pronounciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon & Katya RalphUnited Kingdom

Chemical Properties of AlexandriteHide

Formula:
BeAl2O4
Elements listed:
Al, Be, O - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Synonyms of AlexandriteHide

Other Language Names for AlexandriteHide

German:Alexandrit
Spanish:Alexandrita

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Phlogopite8 photos of Alexandrite associated with Phlogopite on mindat.org.
Clinochlore8 photos of Alexandrite associated with Clinochlore on mindat.org.
Chrysoberyl5 photos of Alexandrite associated with Chrysoberyl on mindat.org.

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for AlexandriteHide

Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
Nordenskiöd (1842) Russ. Ges. Min. Schr.
Wild, Klemm (1926) Zentralblatt für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paleontologie, Stuttgart: 31.
Palache, C., Berman, H., Frondel, C. (1944) The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 718.
Schmetzer K., Bank H., Gübelin E. (1980) The alexandrite effect in minerals: chrysoberyl, garnet, corundum, fluorite. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie Abhandlungen: 138: 147-164.
Schmetzer, K. (2010) Russian alexandrites. Schweizerbar Science Publishers, Stuttgart 2010. 141p.
Voll, E., Pimenta, V.B. (1997) Mapeamento geológico da área garimpeira de alexandrita entre Setubinha e Malacacheta, MG. Trabalho Geológico de Graduação, IGC-UFMG, 52 p.
Basílio, M.S., Pedrosa-Soares, A.C., Jordt-Evangelista, H. (2013) Depósitos de alexandrita de Malacacheta, Minas Gerais. Revista Geonomos: 8(1):47-54.
Schmetzer, K., Hyršl, J., Bernhardt, H.-J., Hainschwang, T. (2014) Purple to Reddish Purple Chrysoberyl from Brazil. Journal of Gemmology: 34(1): 32-40.
http://www.alexandrite.net/
Ollier, N., Fuchs, Y., Cavani, O., Horn, A.H., Rossano, S. (2015): Influence of impurities on Cr3+ luminescence properties in Brazilian emerald and alexandrite. European Journal of Mineralogy: 27(6): 783-792

Internet Links for AlexandriteHide

Localities for AlexandriteHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (eg from pseudomorphs.)

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia
 
  • Western Australia
    • Cue Shire
      • Poona
Groat, L.A., Giuliani, G., Marshall, D.D., and Turner, D. (2008): Ore Geology Reviews 34, 87-112.
Fetherston, J., Stocklmayer, S., Stocklmayer, V(2013): Gemstones of WA, Geological Survey of WA
    • Dowerin Shire
MinMag 66(6):985-1002
Downes, P. J., & Bevan, A. W. R. (2002). Chrysoberyl, beryl and zincian spinel mineralization in granulite-facies Archaean rocks at Dowerin, Western Australia. Mineralogical Magazine, 66(6), 985-1002
Brazil
 
  • Bahia
    • Pindobaçu
  • Espírito Santo
Gift from old miner native
  • Goiás
    • Minaçu
Petersen Jr, K. J., Schultz-Güttler, R. A., & da Silveira Bello, R. M. (2008). Alexandrita do pela ema, Minaçu/Go: inclusões fluidas e condições genéticas. Brazilian Journal of Geology, 32(3), 307-316.
  • Minas Gerais
    • Antônio Dias
      • Hematita
; Emeralds of the World English extraLapis Vol. 2 2002 pp46-51
    • Ferros
Basílio, M. S., Pedrosa-Soares, A. C., & Jordt-Evangelista, H. (2013). Depósitos de alexandrita de Malacacheta, Minas Gerais. Revista Geonomos, 8(1) pp47-54; Basílio, M. S., Pedrosa-Soares, A. C., & Jordt-Evangelista, H. (2013). Depósitos de alexandrita de Malacacheta, Minas Gerais. Revista Geonomos, 8(1) pp47-54
Basílio, M. S., Pedrosa-Soares, A. C., & Jordt-Evangelista, H. (2013). Depósitos de alexandrita de Malacacheta, Minas Gerais. Revista Geonomos, 8(1) pp47-54
    • Mucuri valley
Proctor, K. (1984). Gem pegmatites of Minas Gerais, Brazil: exploration, occurrence, and aquamarine deposits. Gems and Gemology, 20(2), 78-100.
    • Setubinha
Basílio, M. S., Pedrosa-Soares, A. C., & Jordt-Evangelista, H. (2013). Depósitos de alexandrita de Malacacheta, Minas Gerais. Revista Geonomos, 8(1) pp47-54
Basílio, M. S., Pedrosa-Soares, A. C., & Jordt-Evangelista, H. (2013). Depósitos de alexandrita de Malacacheta, Minas Gerais. Revista Geonomos, 8(1) pp47-54
Basílio, M. S., Pedrosa-Soares, A. C., & Jordt-Evangelista, H. (2013). Depósitos de alexandrita de Malacacheta, Minas Gerais. Revista Geonomos, 8(1) pp47-54
Czech Republic
 
  • Liberec Region
    • Jizerské Mtn (Iser Mtn)
geological prospecting, 2008 - 2009, Czech geological Organization
India
 
  • Chattisgarh (Chhattisgarh)
    • Raipur District
Gem Stone Occurrences in Chhattisgarh. Directorate of Geology and Mining, Chhattisgarh
Madagascar
 
  • Ihorombe
    • Ihosy District
      • Ilakaka Commune
Giuliani, G., Fallick, A., Rakotondrazafy, M., Ohnenstetter, D., Andriamamonjy, A., Ralantoarison, T., Rakotosamizanany, S., Razanatseheno, M., Offant, Y., Garnier, V., Dunaigre, C., Schwarz, D., Mercier, A., Ratrimo, V., and Ralison, B. (2007): Mineralium Deposita 42, 251-270.
  • Vatovavy Fitovinany
    • Mananjary District
      • Ambalahosy Nord Commune
JULIEN RAOUL
Myanmar
 
  • Mandalay Region
    • Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/r-s-bk-burma2.htm
        • Kyatpyin Central
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Kyatpyin North
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Mogok Valley
Themelis, Ted, 2008, Gems and Mines of Mogok.; Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
  • Shan State
    • Loilem District (Loilen District)
Kyaw Khaing Win (2004): A study on gemstones occurrences of Monghsu and its environs. Unpublishes M.Res. thesis, University of Yangon, Department of Geology.
Russia
 
  • Sverdlovsk Oblast
[MinRec 32:41]
      • Malyshevo
        • Izumrudnye Kopi area
E. Y. Kievlenko (2003) Geology of Gems, 82-83
Pavel M. Kartashov data
E. Y. Kievlenko (2003) Geology of Gems, 82-83
Avdonin V.N., Polenov Yu.A. (2004) Essays on Uralian minerals, - UGGA press, p. 419 (in Rus.).
E. Y. Kievlenko (2003) Geology of Gems, 82-83
Spain
 
  • Galicia
    • Pontevedra
      • A Cañiza
Martin-Izard, A., Paniagua, A., Moreiras, D. (1995) Metasomatism at a granitic pegmatite-dunite contact in Galicia: the Franqueira occurrence of chrysoberyl (alexandrite), emerald, and phenakite. Canadian Mineralogist, 33, 775-792.
Sri Lanka
 
  • Sabaragamuwa Province
    • Ratnapura District
http://gemexplorer.org/archives/ratnapura-sri-lanka; Shigley, J. E., Dirlam, D. M., Laurs, B. M., Boehm, E. W., Bosshart, G., & Larson, W. F. (2000). Gem localities of the 1990s. Gems & Gemology, 36(4), 292-335.
Econ Geol (1981) 76:733-738
  • Western Province
    • Kalutara District
Tanzania
 
  • Arusha Region
    • Dumbawanga District
http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/tanzania-mines.htm
    • Lake Manyara
Emeralds of the World English extraLapis Vol. 2 2002 pp24-35
  • Ruvuma Region
    • Tunduru District
Macfarlane, M., Tallontire, A., & Martin, A. (2003). Towards an Ethical Jewellery Business. Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, London.
USA
 
  • New Mexico
    • Rio Arriba Co.
      • Petaca District
Northrop, Minerals of New Mexico, 3rd rev. Ed., 1996
Zimbabwe
 
  • Masvingo
Cairncross, B. (2004) Field Guide To Rocks & Minerals Of Southern Africa: 74.
    • Masvingo (Fort Victoria)
[www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com]
J. E. Shigley et al. (2010), Gem Localities of the 2000s, Gems and Gemology, Fall 2010, pp. 188–216; Cairncross, B. (2004) Field Guide To Rocks & Minerals Of Southern Africa: 74.
  • Matabeleland South
Cairncross, B. (2004) Field Guide To Rocks & Minerals Of Southern Africa: 74.
  • Midlands
    • Gweru District (Gwelo District)
      • Somabula
Cairncross, B. (2004) Field Guide To Rocks & Minerals Of Southern Africa: 74.
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