to light in the XIX century. Discovered by an unnamed farmer in the outposts
of the Urals, a single glowing green crystal was found under the roots of a
stunted tree. This crystal was thought to be an emerald queen of the
empire's jewels. Other glowing crystals were discovered in the same region
and hidden in the Empress Ekaterina's jewel vaults. Unknown to her, a lowly
caretaker of the royal vaults sold these glowing crystals at a high price to
a visiting German Prince who had them cut and set into magnificent settings
for his wife, the Princess. The Princess bejeweled herself with her
Alexandrite ring, Alexandrite earrings, natural Alexandrite white gold,
yellow gold, platinum; many an Alexandrite gemstone in glorious settings.
The alexandrite variety displays a color change (alexandrite effect)
dependent upon light, along with strong pleochroism. Alexandrite results
from small scale replacement of aluminium by chromium oxide, which is
responsible for alexandrite's characteristic green to red color change.
Alexandrite from the Ural Mountains in Russia is green by daylight and red
by incandescent light. Other varieties of alexandrite may be yellowish or
pink in daylight and a columbine or raspberry red by incandescent light. The
optimum or "ideal" color change would be fine emerald green to fine purplish
red, but this is exceedingly rare. Because of their rarity and the color
change capability, "ideal" alexandrite gems are some of the most expensive
in the world.
Varieties - Various shades of green and yellow; brownish, reddish.
Sources - Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Russia, Brazil, Zimbabwe - Rhodesia, Burma.
History - Alexandrite received its name because it was discovered on the
birthday of Czar Alexander II of Russia in 1830. Red and green are also the
colors of the Russian Imperial Guard.
Alexandrite was first discovered in 1831 in an emerald mining region of the
Ural Mountains in Russia. The name comes from Tsar Alexander II of Russia,
on whose birthday the gem was discovered in that country. It was named
"alexandrite" in his honor by the mineralogist Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld. It
is an interesting coincidence that the Russian national colors are green and
red, which may have originated from this gem.
The finest alexandrites were found in the Ural Mountains, the largest cut
stones being in the 30 carat (6 g) range, though many fine examples have
been discovered in Sri Lanka (up to 65 cts.), India (Andhra Pradesh),
Brazil, Myanmar, and especially Zimbabwe (small stones usually under 1 carat
(200 mg) but with intense color change). Overall, stones from any locale
over 5 carats (1 g) would be considered extremely rare, especially gems with
fine color change. Alexandrite is both hard and tough, making it very well
suited to wear in jewelry.
Coveted for their beautiful and mysterious optical effects, when you look at
a Cat's Eye Alexandrite you can see a single band of light on its surface.
Technically known as the "Asteric Effect", this intriguing phenomenon is
unique to the world of gemstones. It is caused by minerals reflecting a band
of light back to the eye like a mirror. Cat's Eye Alexandrite makes
particularly stunning signet rings and are a powerful display of a unique
sense of style.
Russia has remained the primary source of alexandrite since gems from the
mines of the Urals became available on the market. When the Russian deposits
were thought to have been exhausted, interest in the unique colour miracle
decreased - especially since alexandrites from other mines hardly ever
displayed the coveted color change - . But the situation changed
dramatically in 1987, when alexandrites were discovered in a place called
Hematita in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Brazilian alexandrites showed both a
distinctive colour change and good clarity and color. Thus the somewhat
dulled image of the miraculous stone received another boost. The color of
the Brazilian stones is admittedly not as strong a green as that of Russian
alexandrite, but the color change is clearly discernible.
Today Hematita is one of the most important deposits of alexandrite in
economic terms. Occasionally alexandrite with chatoyancy is discovered
there, an effect which has not yet been observed in Russian alexandrite.
Alexandrites are also recovered from sources in Sri Lanka, but the hue of
these stones compares less than favourably with that of the Uralian
alexandrites. They appear green in daylight and a brownish red in artificial
light. The Tunduru area in southern Tanzania has also produced some
outstanding specimens since the mid-1990's. Alexandrites are also found in
India, Burma, Madagascar and Zimbabwe. Although this stone is still
considered a rarity, specialised gemstone dealers do stock it, especially
since improved trade relationships between Russia and the rest of the world
have ensured a better supply of Russian alexandrites to the market.
With its good hardness of 81/2, alexandrite is an uncomplicated stone to
wear. The more distinct the change of colour, the more valuable the stone. A
fine alexandrite should show a vivid bluish-green in daylight and a
purplish-red in artificial light, without any trace of undesirable brown or
grey. If the origin of the stone is known beyond dispute to be Russia, we
are talking about a real rarity of enormous value. Finely faceted
alexandrites above one carat are thus among the most expensive gemstones in
the world, rarer than fine ruby, sapphire or emerald.
Alexandrite is a stone for experts, enthusiasts and connoisseurs, a true
understatement stone. Its uniqueness and high value are not evident at first
sight. The mysterious color change will only occur on exposure to different
light sources. But if you really get involved in alexandrite, you will be
utterly fascinated by this gem. Maybe you will also feel some of the
mysterious magic and lore ascribed to it. It is considered a stone of very
good omen. In critical situations it is supposed to strengthen the wearer's
intuition, and thus help him or her find new ways forward in situations
where logic will not provide an answer. Alexandrite is also reputed to aid
creativity and inspire imagination.
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