Andalusite
ANDALUSITE TECHNICAL DATA
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Species------------------Andalusite
Chemical
Formula-------Al2
SiO5
Birthstone
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-------June
*Mohs
Scale Hardness------#7.5
Durability---------------
--------Good
*Refractive
Index-----1.633-1.644
*Specific
Gravity-------------3.15+/-
Significance
of these* data (FAQ # 5)
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ANDALUSITE ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
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Color
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Andalusite is trichroic,
that is, the color is
different in each of three directions of the chrystal-
usually olive green,
orange and brown. The face-up color of the gem will be
a blend of these three
colors depending on the orientation of the gemstone
when faceted and the
location of the light source.
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Sources
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Originally identified in
Andalusia, Spain, the
majority of commercial production today of this rare
stone is from Brazil and
Sri Lanka.
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Treatment
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Andalusite is not treated
or enhanced and has not
been synthetically produced.
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Care
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Andalusite is durable but
should not be subjected
to high heat such as from a soldering torch which would
cause the stone to
crack. Ultrasonic cleaning is usually safe but steam
cleaning could be risky.
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Lore
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The trichroic property
causing the face-up color
to change as the stone is rotated or the light source
moved has led to it's
being dubbed "the poor man's Alexandrite"and
as such is sometimes used as the Birthstone
for June.
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Uses
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Andalusite is durable
enough for both men's and
ladies' rings, pendants and earrings. .
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Value
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Andalusite is relatively
rare but still moderately
priced.
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RETURN TO ANDALUSITE
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