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Gemstone Information
Alexandrite is a rare variety of the Chrysoberyl mineral family, the main quality that differentiate it from other Chrysoberyl gemstone is the presence of trace of the chromophores vanadium and chromium, which mean that alexandrite appears different colors depending on whether it is viewed in natural or incandescent light.
With a green color in in daylight Alexandrite appears in the tone of red color under incandescent light.
Discovered only in 1830 in the Ural mountains, on the birthday of the Czar Alexander II of Russia, Alexandrite is considered a relative young gemstone, discovered in an emerald mine, Alexandrite was first considered the most precious green variety of Beryl, but after he was recognized as a chromium bearing, color change variety of Chrysoberyl.
Duo to its color green and red, it was considered the official gemstone of the Russia.
Natural Alexandrite present strong pleochroism and its nice emerald green color can switch to a raspberry red (or pink, or orangish yellow color) under incandescent light.
Some rare Alexandrite when cut into cabochon can also show an interesting chatoyancy optical effect.
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Healing Properties
This rare stone has long been associated with great luck and prosperity, associated with discipline and self-control, promote concentration and strengthen the ability to learn, bring peace to the mind, Alexandrite is the June birthstone and can improve intuition, creativity and imagination.
Treatment
Usually this kind of Chrysoberyl occur on the gem market without treatment, but sometimes they can be dyed or oiled to improve color and clarity.
There are many synthetic gemstones and simulated stones with appearance similar to natural one, like synthetic corundum often sold for Alexandrite.
Synthetics are available on the market from 1960, but they are expensive to be produced.
Origin and gemstone source
Mined first in the Ural region of Russia, now natural Alexandrite can be mined in Brazil, Africa (Tanzania, Madagascar, Zimbabwe) and India.
This stone occur rarely in large size with gem quality and can be a very expensive gemstone.
Other source of beautiful material are Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka (Ceylon).
Optical Effect
Natural stones without any treatment can show an attractive emerald green color in natural daylight that switch to a reddish color under incandescent light.
Rarely found with transparency or good eye clean clarity, some rare Alexandrite duo to its natural inclusions, can show a chatoyancy effect if the stone is cut the proper way into a cabochon.
Over one carat stone Alexandrite with good clarity and strong color tone can be very expensive, and raise value higher than emerald, ruby or sapphire.
Images and photos
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Uses
Usually cut into faceted shapes, it is often preferably cut into shape that preserve the most amount of the precious material, can be found on the gem market into oval cut, cushion, pear and sometimes in the round cut at higher price.
This stone is rarely cut into cabochon, this kind of cut is chosen usually only for Cat’s Eye Alexandrite.
Alexandrite gemstone is a really appreciated stone from the jewelers and customers, usually set into high end jewel like: halo ring, often accompanied with diamonds.
It is a durable gemstone with an hardness of 8.5 in the Mohs scale, so it can also set into other jewels like pendants, earrings, necklace, bracelets.
Care and Cleaning
Considered a durable stone like other chrysoberyl gemstones, natural color change Chrysoberyl is suitable for everyday wear, but it is an expensive gemstone so you must pay some attention to preserve your fabulous gemstone.
You can clean your Alexandrite jewel with soapy water and some tooth brush under cold water and dry it with a soft cloth.
Gemstone with good clarity can be cleaned with ultrasonic machine and steamer machine, but please be careful.
Scam and Fraud
Good color change and eye clean clarity stones are rare, especially in large size so they are tremendously expensive, on the market can be found some imitation and some synthetic gemstone.
Sometimes natural or synthetic lab made color change Sapphire gemstones are sold for natural Alexandrite.
Recently also some color change Spinels and bluish color change garnet are sold on the market for natural Alexandrite.
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Typical inclusions
Observing this rare color change variety of Chrysoberyl, under the microscope, can reveal some typical internal inclusions, like: silk formed by tiny rutile needles, some liquid veil and twinning resembling a venetian blind effect.
Gemological Info
- Mineral family: Chrysoberyl
- Crystal: Orthorhombic
- Density: 3.70 – 3.72
- Hardness: 8.5
- Refractive index: 1.744 – 1.755
- Optic Character: Biaxial positive
- Color: Emerald green (with some tint of blue) to raspberry red (or yellowish orange) under incandescent lights
- Cause of color: Chromium and Vanadium
- Luster: Bright Vitreous
- Clarity: Transparent Type 1
- Fluorescent: Inert or moderate
- Cleavage: None
- Fracture: Concoidal
- Durability: High
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