Alexandrite Gemstone

Alexandrite

Alexandrite is one of the traditional gemstones for those born in the month of June. Considering that the use of many gemstones date back to pre-historic times, alexandrite’s discovery in 1830 makes it a gemstone in its infancy. This gemstone was discovered in the Ural mountains of Russia on the 12th birthday of Czar Alexander II. The natural stones are very rare and very expensive. Natural alexandrite is famous of changing colors. When the light is natural sunlight or fluorescent light, the natural stone will appear to be green. Under incandescent light the stone will appear greenish red.   For alexandrite, the quality of the color change is paramount. While the holy grail is a gem whose color changes like a traffic light from green to red, such a stone has yet to be found. In fine examples, the change is typically one from a slightly bluish green to a purplish red. The more dramatic and complete the change of color in an alexandrite gemstone, the more valuable it is. Color change is often noted in the description or lab certificate of an alexandrite in terms of percentage, with 100% being the ideal. The most valuable alexandrite is natural, usually mined in Russia, and has perfect clarity, ideal cut, large size (over 1 carat), and most importantly, has a dramatic 100% color change from a bright rich green to a bright saturated magenta-red.

   Alexandrite is classified in the chrysoberyl mineral family. To bring some sort of association to what might be an unfamiliar term, cat’s-eye is another member of the chrysoberyl family and emerald is a member of the beryl family. As with all crystalline gemstones, the fewer internal imperfections, the more valuable is the alexandrite gemstone. A good cut is not as important in an alexandrite as it is in many other gemstones, but whenever present, a perfect cut will significantly increase the value of the gemstone. Large alexandrites are very rare. Any quality natural alexandrite over 1 carat is hard to find, and more expensive than any diamond of similar quality.

Alexandrites, like so many gemstones range widely in available colors.  The most desirable colors of alexandrite are bright, richly saturated and without tones of grey or brown. Reds and greens are the most expensive and sought after.

    Alexandrites are treated sometimes to improve their appearance.  Because of their high price tag and beauty that everyone loves, they are also widely synthesized and imitated.

Alexandrite is associated with the planet Mercury -- the trickster. Alexandrite's ability to change color and its obviously dual nature is further associated with the zodiac sign of Gemini, which is a sign ruled by Mercury. The association with the sign of Gemini means that alexandrite has a connection with the month of June as this sign covering the period between 21st May and 21st June. In Russia, alexandrite is associated with the month of August, and it's zodiac sign Leo is related to royalty. In USA, alexandrite is offered as an alternative to pearl and therefore associated with the month of June. It is also suggested as the gemstone for a 55th wedding anniversary (sometimes also the 35th or 45th, in place of emerald.)