Alexandrite

Alexandrite is an exquisite color-changing gemstone. As most alexandrites are man made in a lab, it can be challenging to locate natural alexandrite. Alexandrite bracelets and rings are wonderful. When Alexandrite is used in these type of jewelry, the wearer can enjoy seeing the delightful color change in incadescent light.

Alexandrite Gemstone Information

Alexandrite the traditional birthstone for June is a beautiful, but very rare stone. It is also associated with the astrological birth sign of Scorpio. The word Alexandrite is named after the Russian Czar Alexander II because it was discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia on the Czar Alexander II birthday in 1831.

The most sensational feature about this stone, however, is its surprising ability to change its colour. Green or bluish-green in daylight, alexandrite turns a soft shade of red, purplish-red or raspberry red in incandescent light. This characteristic makes it one of the most expensive gemstone, especially for a stone of a large size. Stones of one carat or larger can range in price from fifteen thousand dollars to one million dollars.

The chemical name of Alexandrite is BeAl2O4 .Its hardness measures 8.5 on the Mohs scale. The specific gravity of alexandrite measures from 3.68 to 3.75

Along with Russia it is found in Brazil, Australia, the United States, portions of Africa and India. The Brazilian alexandrite shows both a distinctive colour change and good clarity and colour.

The popular belief that a diamond is forever and it fetches up to 75% of the resale value and colored stones have no resale value is absolutely wrong. However, if one invests wisely, gemstones buying can be very profitable and remunerative too.

Alexandrite Buying Tips

There are various factors to be considered before buying Alexandrite:

• One must always make sure that he/she is buying a natural alexandrite and not synthetic alexandrite. The certificate should mention the word "natural".
• Always buy with a certificate, from a reputed gemological laboratory and not just from the dealer who is selling it, mentioning its authenticity.
• Always go for quality rather than quantity. A good piece, though a small one, is any day better than a big gem with lower clarity and color.
• As far as possible go in for a proper cut gemstone.

Alexandrite Folklore

Russians believe Alexandrite was a good omen. Alexandrite is said to open the heart to romantic possibilities, provide inner peace and even ward off certain physical maladies.