Characteristics of alexandrite
How do you identify alexandrite?
Alexandrite is the color-change variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. Alexandrite is bluish green in daylight or fluorescent light. Alexandrite is purplish red in incandescent light or candlelight.
What does alexandrite do spiritually?
Alexandrite is a calming stone that promotes emotional maturity and encourages joy and happiness in everyday life.
What is the physical and chemical properties of alexandrite?
Physical properties of Alexandrite
| Chemical Formula | BeAl 2O 4 |
|---|---|
| Colour | Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Pink, Purple, Gray, Multicolored |
| Hardness | 8.5 |
| Crystal System | Orthorhombic |
| Refractive Index | 1.744 – 1.755 |
•
20 nov 2016
What does natural alexandrite look like?
Adapting to varying light sources/conditions, alexandrite exhibits chameleon-like qualities with a lustrous green in daylight or fluorescent light and an earthy brown to purplish red with incandescent light (from a lamp) or by candle flame.
What is the true color of alexandrite?
Alexandrites are remarkable and rare gemstones. They display an extraordinary colour change according to the ambient lighting, from emerald green in daylight to ruby red in incandescent light from tungsten lamps or candles.
What classification is alexandrite?
Alexandrite is a type II clarity stone. The stone may contain fluorite, apatite, mica platelets, rutile, and multi-phase inclusions along with negative crystals, fingerprints, liquid inclusions, needles, and hollow tubes.
What makes an alexandrite change color?
The colour change effect is due to alexandrite transmitting green and red light equally. Incandescent and daylight light sources are richer in different wavelengths (red or blue and green respectively) and this has a direct effect on what colour the gemstone appears to the human eye.
Who can wear alexandrite stone?
Since Alexandrite is considered as the birthstone of the month of June, people born in the month of June are advised to wear this gemstone. In addition to this, people born under the zodiac sign of Cancer can also wear the gemstone to benefit from its mystical properties or just wear it for fashion.
How much is a 1 carat alexandrite worth?
Size always affects alexandrite value. You can see this reflected in our Price Guide below. 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!
How much is alexandrite worth?
Alexandrite is one of the most expensive gemstones on the market. GIA-graded, natural Alexandrite cost up to $15,000 per carat on average. However, exceptionally rare and high-quality Alexandrite retails for $50,000 to $70,000 per carat.
Where is alexandrite most commonly found?
Brazil, Sri Lanka, and East Africa are now the main sources for alexandrite, though these gems are not as vividly colored as the original Russian gemstones. Natural alexandrite gemstones are now rarer than diamonds.
Is alexandrite precious or semiprecious?
Diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are the four precious stones. All other gemstones are classified as semi-precious. This includes aquamarine, alexandrite, rose quartz, pearl, amethyst, and hundreds of others.
What is the rarest color of alexandrite?
The most fascinating fact about this gemstone is that it exhibits a drastic color change when viewed under daylight or fluorescent light versus incandescent light. The rarest and most sought after Alexandrite’s change color from an emerald green to a raspberry red.
Is alexandrite a good investment?
This variety of gem-quality Chrysoberyl makes an excellent investment or a piece of jewelry (if you can acquire one). The value of Alexandrites is determined primarily by two factors: the closer the colors are to pure green and red, and the more distinct the color change, the higher the value.
Why is alexandrite so rare?
Alexandrite is very rare because of its chemical composition. While it is a form of chrysoberyl, it has an extra trace element in addition to iron and titanium. It is the presence of chromium that gives it the emerald-green hue in daylight.
Why is my alexandrite green?
Alexandrite, with its chameleon-like qualities, is a rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. Its color can be a lovely green in daylight or fluorescent light, changing to brownish or purplish red in the incandescent light from a lamp or candle flame. This is a result of the complex way the mineral absorbs light.
Is lab created alexandrite real?
Although synthetic gemstones are created in a lab, they have the same optical and physical properties as their mined counterparts. 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.
What cut is best for alexandrite?
The highest quality Alexandrite is most commonly fashioned in what is a called a ‘mixed cut. ‘ This cut allows for a larger table and steeper cut pavilion to maximize the weight, preserve the color saturation and color-change.