Alexandrite Hardness: Is Alexandrite Hard Enough for Daily Wear? For E

Alexandrite, a gemstone of unparalleled beauty, is a popular stone for several reasons. Its scarcity and unique color-changing properties set it apart from other stones, including diamonds and rubies.

Alexandrite appears to change colors depending on the lighting, a phenomenon known as the 'Alexandrite effect.' With its bluish-green, yellow-green or deep emerald hues in natural light and warm reddish to purplish tones under incandescent lighting, this gemstone is a true marvel of nature.

Alexandrite Hardness on the Mohs Scale

Hardiness refers to a stone's resistance to scratches and abrasions.

How hard is alexandrite? Alexandrite is remarkably durable and registers at an 8.5 on the Mohs scale, and it has no cleavage (the tendency to break when struck). For these reasons, it retains its brilliance over time, making it suitable for everyday wear.

Popular Gemstones Listed From Hardest to Softest

Here are popular gemstones listed from hardest to softest, including their hardness on the Mohs scale:

Diamond: 10. Extremely hard and durable, often used in engagement rings.
Sapphire: 9. Highly durable, available in various colors, with blue being the most popular.
Ruby: 9. Known for its vibrant red color, ruby is a variety of corundum, like sapphire.
Alexandrite: 8.5. Rare and valuable, known for its color-changing properties from green to red.
Spinel: 8. Available in a variety of colors, often mistaken for ruby and sapphire.
Topaz: 8. Comes in many colors, including blue, yellow, and pink.
Emerald: 7.5-8. Famous for its rich green color, but can be brittle due to inclusions.
Aquamarine: 7.5-8. Light blue to blue-green variety of beryl.
Garnet: 6.5-7.5. Comes in many colors, with red being the most common.
Amethyst: 7. Popular purple variety of quartz.
Citrine: 7. Yellow to brownish-orange variety of quartz.
Peridot: 6.5-7. Known for its distinctive green color.
Moonstone: 6-6.5. Recognized for its ethereal glow and often used in bohemian jewelry.
Opal: 5.5-6.5. Known for its unique play of colors, but relatively soft and requires careful handling.
Turquoise: 5-6. Popular for its blue to green color, often used in Native American jewelry.
Pearl: 2.5-4.5. Organic gemstone with a soft luster, requiring gentle care.
Amber: 2-2.5. Fossilized tree resin, valued for its golden color and inclusions.

Is Alexandrite Hard Enough for Daily Wear?

Yes, alexandrite is hard enough for daily wear. Alexandrite is harder than garnet but softer than sapphire and is resistant to abrasions, heat and scratches. While Alexandrite is quite durable, harsh chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners and extremely high temperatures may damage its color and structure.

Its rarity and undeniable beauty make it an excellent choice for heirloom pieces too.

Is Alexandrite Hard Enough To Use in Engagement or Wedding Rings?

Alexandrite is a suitable choice for engagement or wedding rings for several reasons. First, with a Moh rating of 8.5, it is harder than most gemstones like topaz, emerald, and aquamarine.

Although diamonds register a rating of 10 on the Moh scale of hardness and are the hardest gemstones on the planet, Alexandrite is also resilient and able to withstand the conditions of daily wear.

While some prefer traditional wedding and engagement rings with diamond jewelry, Alexandrite is quickly becoming a popular choice for modern-day couples looking for a unique jewelry option that will stand out from the crowd.

Alexandrite creates a striking contrast when paired with white metals, but a rose gold or yellow setting can also create a warm, radiant effect. Yellow gold also works well with Alexandrite since it complements the sparkly green and bright red hues.