Alexandrite – one stone, two colorsAlexandrite is one of the rarest and most expensive gemstones. It is a variety of chrysoberyl. What makes it special is that it changes color: in daylight it appears blue-green to green, but in candlelight it appears red.Named after Tsar Alexander IIAlexandrite was discovered in the Ural Mountains in Russia. It was named after Czar Alexander II, who supposedly came of age on the day the gem was discovered. Depending on the source, the year 1830 or 1834 is cited as the year of discovery.
Because the red and green tones of this stone corresponded to the military colors of Russia, it was named the official gemstone of the Tsarist Empire. Alexandrite: Its rarity comes at a price. Natural alexandrite gemstones are now rarer than diamonds. If it is also of high quality, it is practically unaffordable for the general public. Even stones of inferior quality are limited in supply and accordingly expensive. Synthetic & simulated alexandrite There is also synthetic alexandrite, which is grown in a laboratory. It is an expensive process, which is why even lab-grown alexandrite can be expensive.
Unlike synthetic alexandrite, simulated alexandrite is really a corundum or colored crystal that is dyed by chromium or vanadium.
Use George Frederick Kunz, master gemologist at Tiffany & Co., was taken with this gemstone. He created a series of alexandrite rings between the late 19th and early 20th century.
Thanks to its hardness (8.5 on the Mohs scale), it is ideal for any type of jewelry. Rings are particularly popular so that the wearer can also observe the color change.
If you are looking for a particularly valuable gift for someone born in June, you should consider alexandrite: according to the American Gem Society, the two-tone gemstone is the birthstone of the month of June.
Origin & Mining Sites This color-changing gemstone was discovered in emerald mines near the Tokowaja River in the Ural Mountains. It was initially confused with the emerald until it was realized that its colors changed depending on the light source.
The original mines in the Urals are now almost exhausted. Alexandrite in gemstone quality is mainly found in Sri Lanka, Brazil, India and Tanzania.
Characteristics Like other chrysoberyls, alexandrite is a very hard gemstone with a Mohs hardness of 8.5. Only corundum (sapphire & ruby) and diamond are harder.
Most common cuts: This bicolored gemstone can be found in oval or round brilliant cut, cushion cut or emerald cut.