468x60 Ads

Brazilianite

Brazilianite is an uncommon and unusual gemstone. Cut for collectors only, its yellow or yellowish green color is nonetheless striking. Crystals are fragile and brittle, with conchoidal fracture and perfect cleavage perpendicular for their length.

The primary localities are in Brazil, where crystals as much as 15cm (6 inches) have been discovered. Smaller crystals happen to be mined in New Hampshire in the United States.

Found in Minas Gerais in Brazil in 1944, brazilianite was initially regarded as chrysoberyl, but closer examination revealed that it is a brand-new mineral. It had been named after the country in which it was found, but has since been wrongly identified as chrysoberyl, beryl and topaz.

Brazilianite Properties

Chemical Composition: 
Aluminium sodium hydroxyphosphate
Crystal System / Forms: 
Monoclinic
Hardness: 
5.5
Specific Gravity: 
2.99
Lustre: 
Vitreous
Refractive Index / Birefringence: 
1.60-1.62 / 0.021
Sources: 
Brazil, USA.
Cuts & Uses: 
Cushion, Pendeloque, Baguette.