Kornerupine is a rare gemstone and an equally rare mineral specimen. Its claim to fame is its
wonderful emerald green color. This color can be very close to that of emerald's; it has a similar
but higher index of refraction and it even comes with the characteristic inclusions that is a hallmark
of emerald. To distinguish kornerupine from emerald look for the pleochroic colors of kornerupine.
Pleochroic means that different colors can be seen from different viewing angles. For kornerupine,
the colors change from a yellowish-green to a brownish-red as the crystal or gemstone is turned
with respect to the viewer. Green is not the only color of kornerupine as it comes in attractive
browns, yellows and pinks.