Chrysoberyl

specimen number:
9711250

location:
Novello mine, Masvingo, Zimbabwe

description:

A well-formed green crystal of twinned alexandrite measuring a full 2.0 cm across set nice and free from a schist matrix. This is in super condition all around. The crystal is quite thick, but still shows some transmitted light along the edges of the crystal as shown at the end of the video.

The Novello Mine, located in the Masvingo District of Zimbabwe, is a notable small-scale African mining site that has gained international acclaim within the mineralogical community for producing exceptional gem-grade specimens. Geologically, the deposit is situated within ancient metamorphic terrains where pegmatitic or hydrothermal fluids interacted with chromium-rich ultramafic or schistose host rocks, creating the unique chemical conditions required for chrysoberyl formation. Mineralogically, the mine is world-famous for producing alexandrite, a rare chromium-bearing variety of chrysoberyl prized for its remarkable optical phenomenon of changing color from green in daylight to purplish-red under incandescent light, often occurring as sharp cyclic twins or embedded crystals within a biotite schist matrix. Historically, artisanal and small-scale operations at the site expanded over recent decades, providing collectors worldwide with high-quality uncut alexandrite specimens as classic Russian sources became scarce.

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