Andalusite derives its name from the Spanish province where it was first sighted in 1789. Its play of red, green and yellow hues resembles a muted iridescence with adaptable color tones.
Andalusite's ability to exhibit a variety of hues in a single stone, including light yellow-brown, olive, dusty rose, and gray-green, renders it difficult to pin down a leading color. This is a gem that displays pleochroism, meaning that it appears different colors when viewed from different angles. While gemcutters typically try to focus in on a single shade for other gemstones, they prefer to showcase andalusite's transitional ability by choosing gem material with a good mingling of hues. Andalusite has traditionally been a collector's gem and a rare find. While difficult to acquire in small jewelry shops, artisans are beginning to introduce this stone into their creations.
LOCATION: Brazil
Brazil takes pride in its production of exquisite andalusite. We obtain andalusite from the Jenipapo mines in the Minas Gerais territory of Brazil.