Rare beautiful natural Andalusite (.48ct, VS, Spain) hand set in a beautiful filigree & millgrain Solitaire sterling silver setting. Andalusite, an aluminum silicate, derives its name from the southern Spanish province of Andalusia, where it was believed to be found. The original find was actually at El Cardoso, still in Spain but a different province. An honest mistake and typical historical trivia. While andalusite’s color play has been compared to alexandrite, this is technically incorrect, as pleochroic (displaying different colors in different directions) gemstones like andalusite feature all their colors at once, whereas alexandrite only changes color when exposed to different light sources.This gem’s main claim to fame is its extraordinary pleochroism. When cutting strongly pleochroic gemstones (iolite, tanzanite, kunzite, etc.), lapidaries typically try to minimize the pleochroism and maximize the single most attractive color. Interestingly, andalusite is the opposite, as all the colors visible in different directions are attractive. Cutters therefore try to orient the gem to get a pleasing mix of its red, orange, brown, green and golden colors. When cut successfully, andalusite looks unlike any other gemstone, displaying patterns of color dancing around its facets.Please ask questionsCan be resized