GRADING REPORT GAN291
- Identification: Natural Unheated & Untreated Andalusite
- Carat: 2.91
- Shape: Oval
- Measures: 9.84x7.92x6.19 (millimeter)
- Color Grade: Very Good
- Tone: M50
- Color Zoning: None
- Clarity: Lightly Included
- Cutting Grade: Very Good
- > Brilliancy: 90%
- > Depth: 78%
- Origin: Brazil
Treatment: None
Certificate No: IGI 291763881
Overall Grade: Very Good+
Comment: On first sight, I thought 'sphene' - it has powerful dispersion; then perhaps 'Namibian demantoid' for its good luster; or chrysoberyl due to some thin needles under the lens, but no; how about green beryl? Too heavy; apatite, no, hiddenite neither.... I gave up. Three months later, back from IGI, I hold our first andalusite. The first it is, not because they are terribly rare, like euclase or fine alexandrite, but because I never saw a really pretty andalusite and thus never felt the need to add them to our inventory. So, it still holds true: The exception confirms the rule. This gem is a firework of lime green, lemon yellow, but none of the usual brown or orange pleochroism that, IMHO, mixes so disharmoniously with the green in andalusite. Rare size with almost 10x8mm but no window, lens needed for inclusions, no treatments, and durable for jewelry. Lucid crystal with thin needles. The handshots have gotten too much yellow from filtered-out sunlight and lack color depth in the gem. Not a famous variety but also no secret amongst jewelers, often used as cheap faux alexandrite for its normally strong pleochroism (different colors from different angles). With almost three carats, this is a rare size and an opportunity to own an uncommon gemological riddle, with 'pretty & sparkly' on top.
