An outline
Russian emerald mines in the Ural Mountains produced the relatively recent gem alexandrite. According to legend, it was discovered in 1834, the same year future Russian Czar Alexander II became majority age, and was given his name.
Alexandrite the origin
- This excellent stone, which is green to blue-green in color and red to purple-red in incandescent light, is most commonly found in Russia. It has a moderately strong to high level of color saturation. The level of color intensity in too-light stones is not as high as in fine-quality gemstones.
Overly dark stones practically turn black and lose their brilliance. Russian mine production is currently fairly limited,which means it is far more difficult to find the intense, fine-colored stones they produced in large quantities less than 200 years ago.
Alexandrite Stone from different origin
While Sri Lankan stones are less attractive in terms of color than Russian stones, they are frequently larger. The greens of Sri Lankan stones are yellowish rather than the blue-green of Russian stones, and the reds are brownish rather than purplish.
Due of this natural stone’s low green and red saturation, it appears rather brownish and unattractive. This diamond is from Sri Lanka, and it changes colors just slightly. Its tones are brownish.
Brazilian natural stones have been found to exhibit colors similar to those found in Russia, however production has decreased.
These natural crystals are currently scarce, and fine-color material is quite uncommon.
Clarity
Despite having a few additions. Clean material with strong colours and good color change has become much more valuable. The value of this specific one is increased by its high clarity rating when it has a lovely color transition, like this green-to-red-purple example.
The chatoyancy effect, also known as the cat’s-eye effect, can occur when certain kinds of long, thin inclusions are arranged parallel to one another, increasing the gem’s value. Cat’s-eye alexandrite stone has incredible chatoyancy and color variety, and it is quite rare.
What Cut
These are most frequently cut into mixed cuts, which have step-cut pavilions and brilliant-cut crowns. While brilliant cuts contain kite-shaped and triangulated facets with a gorgeous color change, vibrant colours, and extremely clear clarity, step cuts have concentric rows of parallel facets.
This genuine gem typically has an oval mixed cut. Cutting is challenging due to pleochroism. The strongest color shift across the crown of a natural alexandrite gemstone is arranged by cutters when they fashion it. In order for the completed stone to exhibit both the purple red and green pleochroic colours, it is imperative that the rough be arranged correctly.
Quantity in Carats
The vast majority of these fashioned Alexandrite are little, weighing under one carat. greater size and better quality items cost more
grows significantly. This cushion-shaped cut, 8.82 carats in weight, with a lovely color shift. This stone’s size is out of the ordinary.
How is a rare gem?
This is a rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl, which under incandescent light transforms from blue-green during the day to purplish red. It is described as “emerald by day, ruby at night” at times.
The stone’s peculiar chemical composition, which includes elements of the same colorant found in emeralds (chromium), is what gives it its chameleon-like color shift.
It is one of the most expensive and rarest gemstones on the globe due to the rarity of these elements when combined under the right circumstances.
the basis behind its high cost
Alexandrite unique stones, which have a Mohs hardness of 8.5, are more durable and less brittle than garnet and sapphire, so alexandrite stone price is so high. The two gemstones that may change color. On the other hand, due to its scarcity, this is more expensive than other gemstones like rubies and diamond stone.
The renowned Russian mines provide the grade standard for this diamond. In contrast to the vivid colors of Russian jewels, the majority of today’s valuable stones come from Sri Lanka, Brazil, and East Africa and are often paler.
Specifications for colors
The gemstone has chameleonic color-changing abilities. It appears green or bluish-green in daytime, but crimson, magenta, or raspberry red in incandescent light.
The emblematic stone of Imperial Russia
This gemstone has a distinguished past despite being a recent discovery. Given that it exhibits both red and green, the two main colors of ancient Imperial Russia, it was only natural that it became the national stone of tsarist Russia.
An Exotic Jewel—How?
This rare gem requires special geological conditions that have only occurred occasionally over the history of the planet, making it scarce.
Due of their rarity, chemical makeup, and amazing color-changing abilities, these are quite expensive.
How Can I Buy These Real Stones?
A luxurious birthstone for June babies is one of the most expensive and rare gemstones. In Russia, it is also regarded as the traditional gift for the 55th wedding anniversary.