Hardness: 7.50
Refractive Index: 1.63-1.64
Specific Gravity: 3.12
Birthstone:
Astral Stone:
Anniversary Stone:
Origination: Sri Lanka, Brazil, Australia, Spain
Care & Cleaning: Soft polishing cloth, plain water rinse, warm soapy water
Fiction, Facts & Folklore:
Andalusite is known in the gem world as the "poor-man's alexandrite."
This is no doubt because it does somewhat resemble an alexandrite at first glance. However, andalusite does not possess any color-change properties and is hardly in the same price category as the revered alexandrite.
Still, andalusite is an interesting gem of strong pleochroism, showing green, brown and gold when viewed from different angles. Still consumers should be aware that these colors will not change.
Andalusite is usually found in small, waterworn pebbles, usually in sizes of one carat or less.
It was named for Andalusia, the region in Spain where it was first found.
Andalusite is also used in certain porcelain artifacts and optical products as well.
Chiastolite, another variety of andalusite, was feared by early cultures and known as the "stone of death." This is because it commonly has a black cross visible deep within the stone, as a result of its inclusions.