May I ask you a riddle?
Emerald by day, ruby by night
Of course, you are already know, what the gem is it. That's why you are here. Alexandrite is well known for displaying one of the most remarkable color changes in the gem world — green in sunlight and red in incandescent light. Phenomenal color change and extreme rarity make alexandrite one of the world's most coveted stones. This gemstone has great durability, making it an excellent choice for jewelry. However, alexandrite's extreme rarity drives prices very high. Even synthetic alexandrite doesn't come cheap. Still, this gem's dramatic color change makes it an exciting addition to any collection.
Hi everyone,
I’m Sasha Kareva and on this channel I talk about GEMSTONES. Welcome!
Alexandrite was discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in the 1830s. mineralogist Nils Gustaf Nordensköld (btw we met this legendary person before in the video about demantoid - rare and precious variety of garnet. So, Nils Gustav was the first who realize this unusual green, color-changing gemstone was something new. In 1834, Count Lev Alekseevich Perovsky named the stone in honor of the then future Czar of Russia, Alexander II.
This connection to the Czars likely helped the gem gain prestige by association. A combination of beauty, celebrity, and rarity helped create a mystique around this gem in the public imagination.
Alexandrite is the variety of chrysoberyl that displays a change-of- color from green to red.
Natural alexandrite gemstones usually have bluish green or vivid hues of green in natural lighting and will change color to pinkish purple or deep rich purple or vivid red color in incandescent light. This effect happens thanks to the chromium content in natural Alexandrite stone. Some of the common color combinations of alexandrite in gem lab certifications are
- Bluish Green to Purple
- Green to Greyish-Purple
- Green Blue to Purplish Red
- Yellowish-Green to Brownish Purple
- Green to Purplish Pink
A distinct color change is the primary qualification for a chrysoberyl to be considered alexandrite. Problem is, that No strict standard exists for distinguishing between alexandrite and color-change chrysoberyl. However, the presence of chromium is essential. If the stone doesn't change from blueish green to red or reddish purple, it may be a color-change chrysoberyl. It should not stay the same or change color to blue or light green. These gems, though exciting and beautiful, are less rare than alexandrite and much less expensive. Always request an identification report from a gemological laboratory to ensure that the gem is an alexandrite.
For alexandrite, the quality of the color change is paramount. Would be brilliant, to find the gem whose color changes like a traffic light from green to red. In fine examples, the change is typically one from a slightly bluish green to a purplish red. The quality of color change is often referred to by dealers in a percentage basis, with 100% change being the ideal. Stones that display a change of 30% or less are of marginal interest and are arguably not even alexandrite. Significant brown or gray components in either of the twin colors will lower value dramatically.
Clarity doesn’t play a significant role in grading. As is the case with a majority of gems, most naturally occurring alexandrite isn’t clean, facetable material. Most is best suited for cabochons. An alexandrite’s color change has more effect on its value than its clarity. For example, take two alexandrites of equal size. One gem is eye clean, with a 50% greenish blue to brownish red color change. The other is an opaque cabochon with a 100% green to red color change. The opaque cab would be considered more valuable. In terms of clarity, alexandrite is comparable to ruby, with clean faceted stones in sizes above one carat being rare and extremely rare in sizes above 2–3 carats. Negative crystals and parallel rutile silk are common inclusions.
The largest known faceted alexandrite, a 65.7-ct green/red color change stone from Sri Lanka, resides at the Smithsonian Institution. The largest Russian gems weigh about 30 carats. In the British Museum of Natural History (London): 43 and 27.5 cts (Sri Lanka). In the market, faceted alexandrites are found in a variety of shapes and cutting styles. Ovals are cushions are the most common, but rounds are also seen, as are other shapes, such as the emerald cut. I have one example of round cut aleksandrite gem on my website. This gem was mined in the Ural Mountains, one of the most famous deposits, where the history of alexandrite started. Fine stones have also been found in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Burma, Tanzania, Madagascar, India and Brazil. In 1987, an important new deposit at Hematita, Brazil was discovered. This mine produced for just a brief period, but a number of fine stones were found. In the mid-1990’s, Tanzania’s Tunduru region has also produced some outstanding specimens.
Size always affects alexandrite value. Alexandrites above 0.25 carats are rare, if we are speaking about faceted gems. Collectible specimens you can find in much bigger size, for sure. Usually, larger stones exhibit weaker color changes and lesser clarity.
Consequently, prices increase rapidly for larger stones of good quality.In sizes up to one carat, top-quality natural gems can sell for up to $15,000 per carat. Over one carat, the prices range from
$50,000 to $70,000 per carat!
From my personal expirience, recently I sold few Sri Lankan aleksandrite cabochons from 1.3 till 2.6 carats and the price was from 900$ till 2500$. Some cabochons also had a phenomena - cats’ eye effect. Few cabochon alexandrite shows both exceptional color change and a sharp cat's eye across its entire surface. The dark blue-green to purple color change covers about 80-85% of the gem. Thats, why some pieces costed higher than others. But in general, I can’t say, that alexandrite trading is on the same level as ruby or emerald. Yes, many people are looking for this stones, but in the most cases reality doesn't meet expectations.
Customers expect more bright color and more strong color changing. Even, if we check auction houses, they also can’t brag with big deals for alexandrites. The most famous was In October 2007, when a 19.05-carat Alexandrite and Diamond ring sold for $959,400. That comes out to over $50,000 per carat! And Lastly, in 2017, a smaller size Alexandrite, 9.99 carats, from Brazil sold for $313,000.00. That’s it.
Because of the gem’s rarity, natural alexandrite usually comes with a high price tag. However, lab-grown alexandrite has the same chemical and physical and optical properties as natural alexandrite at only a fraction of the cost. They grow from the same chemical ingredients under the same conditions as natural gems, only at an accelerated rate. Lab-created alexandrites are real alexandrites. Synthetic alexandrite gems are grown using a seed of natural Russian alexandrite as well as high amounts of chromium to achieve the vibrant colors and color-changing effect seen in the natural stone. In addition, lab-grown gems typically reduce environmental and humanitarian impacts that are often associated with mining. Without the more affordable lab-grown gems many people would never have the opportunity to own or wear such a stunning gem! Lab-Created Alexandrite is also Valuable. Synthetic Alexandrite retail price is can be easily around $500 per carat.
In conclusion, there are many reasons to buy an alexandrite gemstone. They are rare and valuable, and they have a unique color change ability. They are also said to have special meaning and properties that can bring good luck. So, if you are looking for a special and meaningful gemstone, be sure to consider an alluring gemstone, alexandrite. Don’t forget to share in the comments your experience with this precious gem.