The second largest occurrence of alexandrite in Brazil produced
deposits of larger alexandrite, although the majority of stones
is occluded and translucent rather than transparent. Fine and
gem quality larger alexandrite have been mined in miniscule
quantity. |Locality||Esmeraldas de Ferros| Esmeraldas de Ferros
is a very rugged and difficult to access area. Mining is under
primitive and dangerous conditions. Some of the smaller
alexandrite crystals found are of gem quality, with excellent
clarity and strong color change. Many of the larger crystals
show a regular pattern of cavities that likely represent
inclusions that have weathered away. Others crystals appear to
have grown across the foliation of the schist, as shown by
trains of micaceous inclusions, which create parting planes and
increase susceptibility to physical weathering.