What is so special about alexandrite? Alexandrite is an extraordinary gemstone that appears green or red dependent on the light it is observed under. This colour change effect is sometimes referred to as the ‘alexandrite effect’. The rarity of this material and its chameleon-like qualities make alexandrite one of the world’s most desirable gemstones.
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.
Can alexandrite be faked? Synthetic alexandrite is an artificially grown crystalline variety of chrysoberyl, composed of beryllium aluminum oxide (BeAl2O4). The name is also often used erroneously to describe synthetically-grown corundum that simulates the appearance of alexandrite, but with a different mineral composition.
Is lab created Alexandrite worth anything? Is a Lab-Created Alexandrite Valuable? Hydrothermally grown alexandrites are some of the more valuable synthetic gems of any kind. Still, they have nowhere near the value per carat of a natural alexandrite.
What is so special about alexandrite? – Related Questions
Why is my alexandrite purple?
It is a common misconception that alexandrite changes color from green to red. In fact, the best alexandrites are teal, vanadium green, greenish blue, or blue-green under natural daylight or fluorescent and change to purple-red or red under incandescent light.
Does fake alexandrite change color?
Alexandrite is a very rare and valuable variety of chrysoberyl that shows color change. However, not all color-change chrysoberyls have the classic range of colors that alexandrites show. Although these gems are uncommon and valuable in their own right, they are sometimes marketed misleadingly as alexandrites.
What color is alexandrite in LED light?
The gemstone alexandrite is known for its feature to change color depending on the spectral quality of the incident light. Thus, the stone looks green when illuminated by white LED light but looks red when illuminated by incandescent light.
Is alexandrite blue or purple?
In natural and fluorescent light, alexandrite can range from green to greenish blue, but under incandescent or candle light, it can appear purple to purplish red.
What color of alexandrite is the most expensive?
The color of alexandrite is the main factor affecting the perception of its beauty. In daylight, the most valuable colors are green and bluish-green. The yellowish-green color of alexandrite is considered less valuable. The most expensive color in candescent light is red without additional shades.
What is the rarest stone on earth?
Painite : Not just the rarest gemstone, but also the rarest mineral on earth, Painite holds the Guinness World Record for it. After its discovery in the year 1951, there existed only 2 specimens of Painite for the next many decades. By the year 2004, there were less than 2 dozens known gemstones.
How much is a real alexandrite stone 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.
What does a fake alexandrite look like?
Synthetic corundum changes from a purple resembling amethyst under artificial light to a greyish-blue in daylight where synthetic spinel more closely resembles alexandrite with its change from reddish to blue-greenish hues.
How do I identify an alexandrite stone?
Color change is the most important quality factor for alexandrite. The most-prized alexandrites show a strong color change from bluish green in daylight and red to purplish red in incandescent light, with moderately strong to strong color saturation. Alexandrites tend to contain few inclusions.
What does real alexandrite look like?
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.
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!
