Alexandrite in Beryl var. Emerald from A Franqueira, A Cañiza, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain
Contributed by: Daniel C. Montero
Date: May 4th, 2026
Locality: A Franqueira, A Cañiza, Pontevedra, Galicia, Spain (See on Mindat)
Description:
Alexandrite is a variety of chrysoberyl.
The most striking characteristic of this gem and that gives it more value is that it has a different color depending on whether it is given natural or artificial light: green under daylight and purple red under incandescent artificial light.
In the photo we can see its red fluorescence under longwave UV light.
Most common activator: Cr3+
Other activators: Mn4+, V2+
Originally posted by Daniel C Montero on Nature's Rainbows in 2023.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Alexandrite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Longwave (365nm LED) UV light: Red

