Alexandrite in schist matrix

Item Description

A nice sized reference quality alexandrite with greenish color in room light, clearly and sharply formed, is well displayed on its schist matrix from this classic Brazilian locality. The twin is translucent with more intense backlighting and does show some color change when illuminated with different light sources (daylight vs halogen). The robust crystal is well-formed with no damage of any kind and measures 1.8 cm across and is half exposed with the remainder growing in the biotite schist matrix. The color of the alexandrite twin is a is a dark olive and the schisty matrix is brown-black. A smaller, single Chrysoberyl partial twin is also present near the larger one mostly embedded in the schist. Not a killer, not gemmy, but a nice reference matrix alexandrite specimen!