Chrysoberyl var: Alexandrite

Item Description

A nice matrix specimen of the famous Alexandrites from the Novello Mine in Zimbabwe. This toenail sized piece features well-formed, crystals of Alexandrite measuring up to 1.2 cm across and is sitting atop schist. The crystals show a the classic "Alexandrite"-type color change with a rich chrome green hue in sunlight that changes nearly 100% to a strong purplish-red color in warm indoor lighting. I will say that you need a strong light to see the color change, but it's there. A hard to find matrix example of this elusive material from Zimbabwe.
Ex Colin Manlove collection.