Alexandrite

ETYMOLOGY: It was named in honor of Tsar Alexander II of Russia.

CRYSTAL SYSTEM: Rhombic

PRINCIPLE OF FORMATION: Tertiary

MINERAL CLASS: Óxidos

CHEMICAL FORMULA, MINERAL ELEMENTS: BeAl2O4 + Cr + Fe

HARDNESS: 8.5 on the Mohs scale.

FIELDS: Brazil, Tanzania, Burma, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Russia and the USA.

MINERALOGY: The alejandrite is a variety of chrysoberyl. More accurately is a beryllium and aluminum oxide with small amounts of chromium and iron. While most of the chrysoberyls appear in pegmatites (the filmy magmatic rocks) the alejandrite is found preferentially in ancient metamorphic rocks found in micaceous schists that also contain emeralds, in addition it is found in pleasures (alluvial gems) this in the island of Sri Lanka.

MYTHOLOGY: The alexandrite differs from the other chrysoberyls by their color. In sunlight it has a green grass color, while in artificial light its color is intense purple red. The alexandrite is also pleochroic, it varies in color from red to amyloid to green according to the angle of observation. Discovered in Russia in the Urals, in 1830, the name is in honor of Czar Alexander II of Russia, is going to call it the Finnish mineralogist Nils Gustaf Nordenskiöld(1792-1866).

PROPERTIES: It is said that the alejandrita is a purifying and renewing mineral, put on the heart the alejandrita brings good luck in the love besides imparting grace and elegance to whoever takes it. With its ability to display two colors at the same time, this mineral allows you to see both sides of a situation and to link the heart with the mind, holding the points of view in a rational and intuitive way. The Alexandrite recreates self-esteem and respect for oneself.

CHAKRAS: Heart, eyebrow. 

ZODIAC SIGN: Gemini 

USES: Jewelry, meditation. It is used in the manufacture of lasers with a wavelength of 755 nm and generally intended for depilation (photoepilation).