alexandrite

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See also: Alexandrite

English

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia
Alexandrite step cut cushion

Etymology

Named after Alexander II of Russia +‎ -ite.

Pronunciation

  • (US) enPR: ăl'-ĭg-zăn'-drīt, IPA(key): /ˌæl.ɪɡˈzæn.dɹaɪt/

Noun

alexandrite (countable and uncountable, plural alexandrites)

  1. (mineralogy) A form of chrysoberyl that displays a colour change dependent upon the light source, along with strong pleochroism.
    • 1922, E R[ücker] Eddison, The Worm Ouroboros, London: Jonathan Cape, page 2:
      [] the body of each high seat was a single jewel of monstrous size: the left-hand seat a black opal, asparkle with steel-blue fire, the next a fire-opal, as it were a burning coal, the third seat an alexandrite, purple like wine by night but deep sea-green by day.

Translations

Further reading

  • David Barthelmy (1997–2025) “Alexandrite”, in Webmineral Mineralogy Database.
  • alexandrite”, in Mindat.org, Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, 2000–2025.