Alexandrite is one of the most fascinating gemstones on earth. Let's learn more about it!
- Alexandrite is a birthstone for June, along with pearl and moonstone. It is also the traditional gift for the 55th wedding anniversary.
- The Alexandrite stone is a member of the chrysoberyl family, which also includes chrysoberyl, commonly known as cat's-eye.
- Alexandrite was discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia sometime around 1833 and it was named in honor of Czar Alexander II.
- When exposed to sunlight, Alexandrite jewelry appears bluish-green and reddish-purple under artificial light.
- Alexandrite gems that show considerable color change from strong bluish-green to red command premium prices.
- The color-change property of Alexandrite is due to traces of chromium. Chromium is also a trace ingredient in beryl emeralds, giving them their green hue.
- Alexandrite is produced in parts of Africa, Brazil, and Sri Lanka.
- Alexandrite gems from Brazil boast 100% color change and are therefore the most prized.
- Natural alexandrite is rarer than diamonds and more costly than emerald, ruby and sapphire.
- Any Alexandrite stone above three carats is highly uncommon. Smaller Alexandrite stones are easier to come by for commercial jewelers.
- The price of real alexandrite varies according to the quality. Natural Alexandrite in excellent condition may cost more than $30,000 per carat.
- The cost of Alexandrite is determined mostly by the hue's purity and the intensity of color change.
- In addition to color changes, the alexandrite gem can exhibit chatoyancy or the cat's-eye effect in extremely rare cases. Chatoyancy or the cat's-eye effect is when a white line appears down the center of the stone and travels around as it moves beneath a light source.
- The star variety of Alexandrite is extremely rare and found in India. It displays a 4-ray star that is due to hollow tubes within the stone.
- Because of the intense color change in Alexandrite crystal, color-changing abilities in other gemstones have become known as the Alexandrite effect.
- Lab-created color change sapphire was the first Alexandrite simulant and it was created in 1909.
- Synthetic Alexandrite made of chrysoberyl has been around since the 1960s. It is a very costly process, so this type of synthetic Alexandrite is still very expensive.
- The largest uncut gem-quality alexandrite specimen ever found is the Sauer Alexandrite that weighs 122,5400 carats. The Sauer Alexandrite was found in Bahia, Brazil, in 1967.
- The Alexandrite crystal is robust, hard and long-lasting enough to be worn every day. This stone does not require any particular or unusual care, making it a low-maintenance gem. It comes in at 8.5 on the Mohs’ hardness scale.
- Alexandrite jewelry is strongly associated with good fortune. In addition to this, Alexandrite enhances creativity and focus.