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[pianone]

Hello,

I often see Andalusite advertised as 'rare'. Is Andalusite really a rare mineral (it is a mineral, right)? I have made exhaustive searchs to find calibrated Andalusite but unable to find much.

Thanks,
Jane

[Dr Shihaan]

Hi Jane,

Thank you for contacting Internet Stones.COM. At the moment I do not know anyone who has andalusites. However I will get in touch with you when I find someone. I have seen a few samples with some gem merchants.

Andalusite is considered a rare/unusual gemstone.

All gemstones are minerals, but not all minerals are gemstones. It is the minerals that have some form of ornamental or jewel value that are called gemstones.

[Dr Shihaan]

When examined in various angles, cut and polished stones show a distinct colour effect known as trichroism. The main trichroic colours shown in andalusite include yellow, green and red.

Andalusite is found in many colours, however Sri Lankan andalusites are predominantly green in colour. Green andalusite with a glint of red is often mistaken for Alexandrite.

[mrksem454]

Yes, you are right Its Color would be white, red, brown, orange and green. Luster is vitreous. Transparency crystals are transparent to translucent. Crystal System is Orthorhombic; 2/m2/m2/m. Crystal Habits include prismatic crystals with a square cross section terminated by a pinacoid, also massive and granular, Cleavage is good in two directions, Fracture is splintery to subconchoidal, And Hardness is 7.5.

[Srigem]

Really Interesting

[Srigem]

An interesting gemstone