Alexandrite
Emerald of the day, ruby of the night.
📜 History and Stories
The Alexandrite Stone was discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in 1830, on the birthday of the future Tsar Alexander II, hence its name. Because its colors (green and red) were the same as those of the Russian Imperial Army at the time, it quickly became a prized possession of the Russian Imperial family and was dubbed the "Tsar's Stone".
The original deposits are now largely depleted, making Alexandrite from Russia extremely valuable on the collector's market.
🌍 Major Origin Distribution
Although the original Russian deposits were exhausted, Alexandrite has since been found in other parts of the world, mainly in Brazil, Sri Lanka and East Africa (Tanzania, Mozambique). However, high-quality Alexandrite with a significant color change effect is still extremely rare.
📍 Explore the original source: the Russian Ural Mountains🔬 Gemological Properties
| characterization | descriptive |
|---|---|
| family-run | Chrysoberyl |
| Chemical composition | Beryllium aluminum oxide `(BeAl₂O₄)` |
| Mohs hardness | 8.5 |
| index of refraction | 1.746 - 1.755 |
| Key Features | Significant color change effect |
Alexandrite vs. Color Change Garnet
💡 Magical Color Changing Effects
Alexandrite's color change is due to its unique crystal structure and the presence of traces of chromium. This structure makes its absorption of the light spectrum very special: it absorbs the yellow part of the spectrum, while allowing a large amount of blue-green and red spectrum to pass through.
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daylight
(Enriched with blue-green light)
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Green color
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Incandescent lamp/candlelight
(rich in red light)
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Reddish in color
💰 Different quality grades and values
The value of Alexandrite depends heavily on the intensity and quality of its color-changing effects. The finest stones appear as a pure emerald green in daylight, changing to a rich purplish red under an incandescent lamp.
1. Degree of discoloration
The most important factor.1001 TP3T has the best color change and the highest value.
2. color quality
Greens and reds should be saturated and vibrant, avoiding dull or brownish tones.
3. Clarity
High-quality Alexandria boulders are extremely clear, and the less inclusions the better.
4. Carat
High-quality Alexandrite boulders over 1 carat are rare and extremely expensive.
Value ladder of color change
The stronger and more complete the color change, the higher the value of the stone. A stone that changes from a fine green to a fine red is worth much more than a stone with a weak color change or an off-color.
💖 Symbolism
🗓️
June Birthstone
Sharing the honor of being the birthstone of June with pearls and moonstones, it brings good luck.
🍀
Fortune and Balance
Symbolizing good fortune, prosperity and inner balance, it helps the wearer to adapt to changes.
❤️
Love and Discipline
It is said to bring joy in love and also reminds people of self-discipline in their emotions.
🛡️ Care and Wear
With a hardness of 8.5, Alexandrite is very strong and an excellent choice for everyday wear.
✅
very durable
High hardness, suitable for making all kinds of jewelry.
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Ultrasonic cleaning
Usually safe for ultrasonic and steam cleaning.
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Avoid hard contact.
Although tough, extreme crashes should be avoided.
🧼
Gentle and clean
Easy to clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush.
👑 royal and collector's treasure
Due to the extreme rarity of large-grained, high-quality Alexandrite, it is less common than other gems among modern celebrities. However, its place in history is irreplaceable and it is a coveted destination for top gemstone collectors. For example, the famous Tiffany & Co. has designed antique jewelry with high quality Alexandrite, and these pieces are now worth a fortune at auction.