ANDALUSITE

Andalusite is named after Andalusia, the province of Spain where it was first discovered. Andalusite is pleochroic, different colours in different directions. When cutting most pleochroic gemstones, such as iolite and tanzanite, the trick is to minimize the pleochroism & maximize the single best colour. Andalusite is the opposite: cutters try to orient the gem to get a pleasing mix of colours: orangey brown and a yellowish green or gold. When they succeed, andalusite looks unlike any other gemstones, with patterns of colour dancing around the facets. The best colour play is seen in fancy shapes,particularly rectangular cushion shapes: in round cuts, the colours blend together. Andalusite is mined in Brazil and SriLanka.