Alexandrite can be mined in the United States, Russia (Ural Mountains), Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Zimbabwe (Rhodesia), Brazil, Madagascar, Italy. It has a hardness of 8.5 on the Moh's scale.
Alexandrite is the gemstone most noted for it's color changing (pleochroic) abilities. It is a form of chrysoberyl. Colors are greenish outdoors, and reddish to violet under artificial light. Alexandrite is extremely rare.
Look out for Alexandrite which is too clean, or at a price which seems too low, it's probably synthetic. Natural Alexandrite rarely exceeds 2 carats. Can be confused with synthetic Alexandrite, or synthetic color change corundum.
This rare gemstone is named after the Russian Czar, Alexander II (1818-1881). The discovery was made on the day the future Czar came of age, the very first crystals having been discovered in April 1834 in the emerald mines near the Tokovaya River in the Urals. Although Alexandrite is a relatively young gemstone, it certainly has a noble history. Since it shows both red and green, the principal colors of old Imperial Russia, it inevitably became the national stone of Czarist Russia.
Beautiful Alexandrite in top quality, however, is very rare indeed and hardly ever used in modern jewelry. In antique Russian jeweler you may come across it with a little luck, since Russian master jewelers loved this stone. Tiffany’s master gemologist George Frederick Kunz (1856-1932) was also fascinated by Alexandrite, and the jeweler’s firm produced some beautiful series of rings and platinum ensembles at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. Smaller Alexandrites were occasionally also used in Victorian jewelry from England.
The magic of changing colors
The most sensational feature about this stone, however, is its surprising ability to change its color. Green or bluish-green in daylight, Alexandrite turns a soft shade of red, purplish-red or raspberry red in incandescent light. This unique optical characteristic makes it one of the most valuable gemstones of all, especially in fine qualities.
Alexandrite is very scarce: this is due to its chemical composition. It is basically a chrysoberyl, a mineral consisting of colorless or yellow transparent chrysoberyl, chrysoberyl cat’s eye and color-changing Alexandrite (also in cat’s eye varieties). It differs from other chrysoberyls in that it not only contains iron and titanium, but also chromium as a major impurity. And it is this very element which accounts for the spectacular color. change. Rarely, vanadium may also play a part. According to CIBJO nomenclature, only chrysoberyls displaying a distinct change of color. may be termed Alexandrite.
Russia had remained the primary source of Alexandrite since gems from the mines of the Urals became available on the market.But the situation changed dramatically in 1987, when Alexandrites were discovered in a place called Hematita in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Alexandrites are also obtained from sources in Sri Lanka. The Tunduru area in southern Tanzania has also produced some outstanding specimens since the mid-1990s. Alexandrites are also found in India, Burma, Madagascar and Zimbabwe. Although this stone is still considered a rarity, specialized gemstone dealers do stock it, especially since improved trade relationships between Russia and the rest of the world have ensured a better supply of Russian Alexandrites to the market.
A gemstone for experts and gemstone lovers
With its good hardness of 8.5, Alexandrite is an uncomplicated stone to wear. The more distinct the change of color, the more valuable the stone. A fine Alexandrite should show a vivid bluish-green in daylight and a purplish-red in artificial light, without any trace of undesirable brown or gray. If the origin of the stone is known beyond dispute to be Russia, we are talking about a real rarity of enormous value. Finely faceted Alexandrites above one carat are thus among the most expensive gemstones in the world, rarer than fine ruby, sapphire or emerald.
Alexandrite is a stone for experts, enthusiasts and connoisseurs, a true understatement stone. Its uniqueness and high value are not evident at first sight. The mysterious color. change will only occur on exposure to different light sources. But if you really get involved in Alexandrite, you will be utterly fascinated by this gem. Maybe you will also feel some of the mysterious magic and lore ascribed to it. It is considered a stone of very good omen. In critical situations it is supposed to strengthen the wearer’s intuition, and thus help him or her find new ways forward in situations where logic will not provide an answer. Alexandrite is also reputed to aid creativity and inspire the imagination.
Alexandrite, Pearl,and Moonstone are the birthstones of the month of June.
(Astrological Sign of Scorpio)
Vibrates to the number 5
This rare gemstone is regarded as having regenerative powers. It enhances the rebirth of both the inner and outer self. It can assist one in centering the self, reinforcing self-esteem, and augmenting ones ability to experience joy and to both acknowledge and appreciate the interconnected-ness of all of nature.
Alexandrite can also be used to facilitate the alignment of the mental, emotional, and etheric bodies, creating a more balanced emotional state.
In the Orient, Alexandrite is regarded as a majikal gemstone bringing good fortune to its owner.
Alexandrite has been used in the treatment of disorders of the spleen, testicles, and pancreas, and in the regeneration of neurological tissue on the cellular level. It has helped to improve dis-eases of the nervous system, to treat disorders which are associated with leukemia, and to enhance to assimilation of protein.
