Alexandrite Color Change, Properties, Hardness, Meanings, Jewelry
Jul 23, 2024
What Is Alexandrite? Why Choose Alexandrite Jewelry?
Due to its extraordinary color change, the alexandrite stone is considered a very unique and valuable gemstone, which makes alexandrite jewelry a popular choice for jewelry lovers.
Under daylight, it usually appears green; but under incandescent light, it usually looks maroon or purplish red. That’s why alexandrite stones are commonly known as “emeralds during the day, rubies at night“.
In addition, as a birthstone for June, the alexandrite promotes emotional well-being and self-esteem by increasing confidence. It also symbolizes luck, good fortune, prosperity, and longevity.
Lastly, there is a very limited number of natural alexandrite stones, making it a very rare and expensive gemstone. Generally speaking, natural alexandrite costs about $15,000 per carat.
This explains why soon-to-be-married couples are now choosing alexandrite engagement rings: They are rare and one of a kind.
The Discovery of Alexandrite Stones
It is said that the alexandrite stone was first found in an emerald mine in the Ural, Russia in 1830.
A group of miners at the Tokawaja emerald mine in the Ural Mountains discovered some emerald-like gems with a peculiar discoloration, which appeared green in sunlight during the day and red in candlelight at night.
They then presented the gems to the Tsarist government. This discovery was made when Crown Prince Alexander (later Tsar Alexander II) came of age. The prince set this newly discovered bizarre gemstone on his crown and name it “Alexandrite”, or in Russan, “Александрит”.
Alexandrite Properties
Alexandrite is a rare gemstone known for its remarkable color-changing ability, appearing green in daylight and red under incandescent light due to its strong pleochroism and trace amounts of chromium.
A variety of chrysoberyl, it has a chemical composition of BeAl₂O₄ and scores 8.5 on the Mohs scale, making it durable for everyday wear.
Alexandrite Color: What Color Is Alexandrite? The Alexandrite Color Change
Does alexandrite change color? Yes. Under daylight, it usually appears gray-green, light yellow-green, or blue-green; but under incandescent light, it usually looks maroon or purplish red. That’s why alexandrite stones are commonly known as “emeralds during the day, rubies at night“.
Because of the trace amount of chromium in the alexandrite stone, it transmits green light the most, red light the second most, and absorbs all other light strongly.
Therefore, during the daytime, since the sun emits more green light than any other color, the alexandrite stone transmits green light the most and appears green;
However, at night, under incandescent lamps or in candlelight, which emits more red light than any other color, the alexandrite stone transmits more red light too, so it appears red.
This extraordinary color change of the alexandrite stone makes it a very unique and valuable gemstone.
Where Is Alexandrite Found?
Where to mine alexandrite stones? Although alexandrite was initially discovered in Russia, production in the Ural Mountains ceased soon after.
Today, the deposit of alexandrite is very limited in Russia. Most alexandrite stones originate from Brazil, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Sri Lanka.
However, alexandrite stones produced in these regions differ from those produced in Russia in the 19th century, in that their color change is not as obvious.
Still, we can expect a limited number of good quality alexandrite gemstones from Brazil, while Madagascar and Tanzania are offering large scales of average quality ones.
Alexandrite Price: Is Alexandrite Expensive?
2.02 Carat Oval Alexandrite Engagement Ring Diamond 18k White Gold GIA Certified $68,400 SHOP NOW.
Alexandrite Price per Carat
Natural alexandrite stones are quite expensive. Generally speaking, natural alexandrite costs about $15,000 per carat. The main factors impacting the value of this stone are the color change, size, transparency, and the number of flaws.
Lab-created alexandrite stones are much more affordable. Lab-created alexandrite jewelry in sterling silver usually costs about $50-$200, while those made of 10K or 14K gold might cost $1000-$1500.
Alexandrite Meanings: Emotional Well-Being, Prosperity, and Longevity
What does the alexandrite mean? As one of the three birthstones for June (the other two are moonstones and pearls), the alexandrite promotes emotional well-being and self-esteem by increasing confidence. It also symbolizes luck, good fortune, prosperity, and longevity.
Types of Alexandrite Rings
Natural Alexandrite Rings
Mark Henry 1.78 Carat Natural Brazilian Alexandrite and Diamond Ring 18 Karat Gold $59,800 SHOP NOW.
Natural alexandrite is very rare and expensive, reaching $15,000 per carat. Therefore, it is very difficult for a lot of us to purchase natural alexandrite jewelry and lab-created alexandrite has become an excellent alternative for use in jewelry.
Lab-Created Alexandrite Rings
Although lab-created alexandrite stones are not mined from the earth, they have the same physical properties as natural ones. They have the same chemical composition and grow under the same conditions as natural stones, only at a faster pace.
Rosery Poetry Lab-created alexandrite ring in sterling silver $43.90, SHOP NOW.
Below, you can see the typical color change of lab-created alexandrite stones. This alexandrite ring features a lab-created alexandrite stone and is made of 925 sterling silver.
Do lab-created alexandrite stones have the same color change as natural alexandrite? Yes. Lab-created alexandrite has these properties because both have the same chemical composition and growth conditions.
How to Choose the Right Alexandrite Ring?
To choose high-quality alexandrite stones, we need to pay great attention to these two elements: color change and clarity.
The most valuable alexandrite stones change colors from magenta to green without a hint of brown, and the more intense the color, the higher the value.
In addition, clarity is also an important factor in determining the price of an alexandrite.
Currently, it is rather difficult to find alexandrite stones that satisfy both standards, as generally speaking, the more obvious the color change is, the more impurities there will be; vice versa, if the stone is almost transparent and flawless, then the color change will be weakened.
Regarding brightness, since the color of alexandrite stones is greatly affected by light, many of them are not as bright as other types of gemstones. Therefore, we need to be flexible with this.
Handpicked Alexandrite Jewelry
You and me ring with a color-changing alexandrite stone and a clear cz $49.9, SHOP NOW.
Alexandrite promise ring gold curved ring color changing June birthstone $48.9, SHOP NOW.
Lab created alexandrite ring color changing June birthstone $55.9, SHOP NOW.
Alexandrite stone ring three stone ring dainty and minimalist sterling silver $46.9, SHOP NOW.
How to Take Care of Alexandrite Rings?
Alexandrite stones are very durable. This means we can wear the stone with ease and wash it with jewelry cleaning solutions.
Where to Buy Alexandrite Engagement Rings?
If you want to buy alexandrite engagement rings ranging from $50-$500, you can check Etsy. You can buy alexandrite rings that are affordable and of high quality and have them delivered to your house.
Mark Henry 1.79 Carat Natural Brazilian Alexandrite and Diamond Ring Certified $99,750 SHOP NOW.
Alternatively, if you want to buy high-end or vintage alexandrite engagement rings ranging from $500-$10000, you can check 1stdibs.
They have GIA certificated alexandrite rings that are exquisite and one of a kind. You can also have the products delivered to your home fast.
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Image sources: Alexandrite.
