Andalusite....

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

Andalusite is named after Andalusia in Spain where the gem was discovered. Andalusite can display different colors but isn''t really a color change stone. Andalusite is trichroic (Means light is split in to three). The colors change as you revolve the stone. Cutters have to orient the rough so that all three axis’s are visible when faceting. Some of the best color play is brought out when the gem is cut using various fancy designs. When the gem is cut in the traditional round brilliant style the colors seem to blend together. The gem generally shows two colors, green and orange, either color can be predominant. The same stone can appear green, red or even have flashes of yellow…ranging into green/reddish-orangey brown/gold. The crystal system is orthorhombic and are typically long & narrow. Andulasite is not common in sizes over 2 carats. Andalusite is considered a type 2 gemstone under the GIA colored gem clarity chart (eye-clean with some inclusions under magnification). Sinkankas places a wholesale value on small, commercial quality faceted stones at around $40 per carat for clean gems with good color. Larger stones and stones which are custom cut can fetch up to $200 per carat. Regions the gem is found include Andalusia Spain, Austria, California, USA and China,Sri-Lanka (Ceylon).