Other deposits in India and Sri Lanka have produced a few large specimens, but any alexandrite over 3 carats is rare. Alexandrites up to 5 carats were traditionally found only in the Ural Mountains.

Because of its long-lasting nature and extreme rarity, alexandrite is an exceptional choice for an engagement ring or legacy piece. With a hardness of 8.5, alexandrite is a stone suited to everyday wear only diamond, ruby, and sapphire are harder. Since its discovery two centuries ago, alexandrite has long been coveted as one of the rarest and most cherished gemstones of all.Ī genuine piece of alexandrite jewelry is an incredible addition to any collection. Long associated with Russian royalty, the rare alexandrite was discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountain range in 1833 and was named after the Russian Czar Alexander II. As Edwin Streeter once wrote, “The wonderful alexandrite is an emerald by day and an amethyst at night.” He expressed his admiration because of the gemstone’s remarkable ability to appear green in daylight and plum red in the warmer tones of firelight or candlelight (incandescent) in the evening. The gemstone alexandrite is precious precisely because of its phenomenon. Other examples of phenomenon in gemstones include play of color in opal, moonstone effect in feldspar and the sheen effect of light seen in labradorite, known as labradorescence. Two of the most common examples are the star effect, or asterism, seen in sapphire and ruby, and the cat’s eye phenomenon known as chatoyancy, often seen in tourmaline and chrysoberyl. Darker stones can appear to be almost black while light stones have washed out colours.Īlthough Alexandrite does not have a long history like some gems such as diamonds, rubies or emeralds it has become a firm favourite among jewellery lovers and has picked up many positive connotations for good healthand fortune.In gemology, the use of the word phenomenon specifically refers to a gemstone’s ability to produce extraordinary displays of beauty, a result of the unique ways light reacts to the gemstones chemical makeup or its physical structure. Lighter coloured stones give the greatest vibrancy. Cleaning can be carried out using washing up liquid in warm water and gently agitating with a soft toothbrush. Due to its hardness Alexandrite is suitable for everyday wear but wearers of Alexandrite jewellery should take care to protect it from extreme temperatures, harsh chemicals and from scratches. Stones large enough to be cut are extremely rare examples of 1.5 carats are considered to be quite large while stones of five carats or more are hardly ever seen.Alexandrite contains few inclusions (foreign matter inside the crystal). High-quality stones can be faceted to enhance their colours, but low-grade stones cannot be cut in this manner because they have too many imperfections, in jewellery parlance, they are not clean enough.īecause Alexandrite is rare, large stones are very costly. Non-gem quality stones can be purchased for just a few pounds per carat however, the colours are nowhere as vibrant or changeable as fine stones. Due to the colour change feature of Alexandrite evaluation of the gem is complex as any report must consider this attribute. Similarly to other coloured gemstones, the colour of the stone is the critical factor in determining the value of a stone. You will experience true love and joy when you have jewellery of Alexandrite.Īlexandrite is rated in the same way as many other gemstones with the same 4 Cs as used with diamonds: Colour, Clarity, Cut, and Carat weight. Many people swear by Alexandrite when they need a boost to their self-esteem and confidence, it leads to optimism about the future. This is why it is associated with the 55th marriage anniversary. It helps married couples cope with relationship difficulties, leading to stronger marital bonds so that the marriage will be long-lasting. Many people say that the stone can remind us of our life and origins and that it can give renewed hope to those in despair, bringing them strength, telling them that there is light in our lives to come.Īlexandrite is understood to help with illnesses and is recommended as a stone to keep in close proximity when recovering from a prolonged illness or a surgical procedure.įans of the stone associate it with good luck and future wealth. Meanings and Beliefs Associated With Alexandriteīecause of its relatively recent discovery,Alexandrite does not have the same ancient connotations as many other gems, but several beliefs have grown up around it.These days, Alexandrite is said to encourage romance.

Alexandrite birth stone