Did you know that alexandrite is the national stone of Russia?
Alexandrite, was first discovered there in 1830s, near the Ural Mountains (which happens to be where I am originally from). It is named after Russia’s Prince Alexander II and possesses a very special characteristic, it changes colour under different light sources, this is known as "colour change".
Green in daylight and red in warm candle light, it is know as “emerald by day, ruby by night”. The stronger the colour change the more rare, valuable and expensive the
gem is.
Personally, I am in absolute awe of this unique gemstone!
Curious to find out more?
Let's begin with some fun facts:
Alexandrite is a part of the chrysoberyl family
It's daylight colour ranges from very strongly bluish green to yellowish green
Most of the alexandrite on the market is eye clean (has no visible inclusions)
Alexandrite is one of the most prized gems
The finest quality is vivid grass green in daylight and an intense raspberry in incandescent light
Alexandrite over 1 carat in size is rare. Stones of that size or larger are typically cut into ovals or cushions to save as much weight as possible. Round cuts lead to too much material loss
To find out more about why certain gemstones are only cut into certain shapes, visit my previous post: Let's get in shape!
Source
Historic mines in Russia no longer produce significant amount of alexandrite and fine quality gems are rare and difficult to source.
Sri Lanka and Brazil are currently the two major sources of this phenomenal gem.
Availability
Currently, alexandrite supply is considered low, especially in sizes over 1 carat.
Although large alexandrite can come with a hefty price tag, smaller stones are much easier to source and are much more reasonably priced.
Alexandrite in green and yellow tones is easier to find, however these are typically less desirable compared to the bluish green colours.
June Birthstone
Alexandrite is also known for the following traits:
symbol of self confidence and self esteem
strengthens intuition and unleashes imagination
gives the owner hope and encouragement
can help you become your own source of happiness within yourself
brings balance between ones physical and spiritual worlds
Did you know that Pearls are also considered a birthstone for June?
Stay tuned for a Blog Post on this elegant and timeless gem
Do you know what powers and qualities your birthstone holds?
Visit my previous post titled Beauty and Power to find out!
Durability
In terms of hardness, alexandrite scores an 8.5 out of 10 on Moh's scale.
With sapphires and rubies at 9 and diamonds at 10, these can scratch your alexandrite if not stored properly or if they rub against each other.
Although not as durable as diamonds and sapphires, alexandrite is still a gorgeous and durable stone for everyday wear and is a perfect choice if you are looking for a unique and one-of-a-kind engagement ring!
For a safe and easy way to clean your alexandrite jewellery, simply use a soft toothbrush and soapy water.
For more tips visit my previous post:
Synthetic alexandrite
Synthetic (man-made) alexandrite has the same crystal structure and chemical composition as their natural counterparts and can be developed by scientists in labs. It may look similar but can be identified as synthetic with the use of certain equipment by a certified gemologist (like me).
Although synthetic alexandrite is available for purchase at certain jewellery stores at a fraction of a price of a natural alexandrite, the two should not be confused as their value is completely different.
Pro Tip: Beware of large alexandrite stones being sold as "natural", most likely, they are synthetic.
When purchasing natural coloured gemstones from Tsarina Gems, you will receive an independent, third party appraisal for your piece of mind. I take pride in working with companies who supply responsibly sourced, natural gemstones.
Is alexandrite on your wish list? I will be delighted to hear about it!
Schedule a complementary, 30 minute connection call with me here
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