Are alexandrites rare?

Often described by gem aficionados as “emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite is the very rare color-change variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. Originally discovered in Russia's Ural Mountains in the 1830s, it's now found in Sri Lanka, East Africa, and Brazil, but fine material is exceptionally rare and valuable.

Are alexandrites valuable?

Currently, one-carat alexandrite gems can go for around $15,000. Alexandrite gems that are bigger than one carat can go for between $50,000 and $70,000 for every additional carat. The most valuable alexandrite in existence weighs 65.08 carats and has an estimated value of over $4 million.

How common is alexandrite?

How Rare Is Alexandrite? Natural alexandrite is rarer than diamonds and more costly than emerald, ruby, and sapphire. Any alexandrite more than three carats is highly uncommon. Smaller stones are more readily available to commercial jewelers.

Are alexandrites natural?

The natural alexandrite is recognized as an extremely rare and hard to find gemstone. Its distinguishing characteristic is the color change phenomenon, varying from a greenish blue in daylight to a reddish purple in incandescent light.

Where are the best alexandrites from?

Currently, alexandrites are found in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, India and Brazil. India continues to produce the majority of alexandrites today. Nevertheless, Brazil produces the finest quality alexandrites and remains the ultimate source for alexandrite collectors all over the world!

Alexandrite: Phenomenal gemstones explained. What makes Alexandrite a unique and amazing gemstone?

What is the rarest gemstone?

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.

Why does June have 3 birthstones?

Why does June have 3 birthstones? The main reason why some months have multiple birthstones is because various ancient stones have become too rare, so it is less likely for them to be available on the market and to satisfy consumer needs.

How can you tell the difference between natural and synthetic alexandrites?

Alexandrite is a very, very rare gem. Fine gems of alexandrite over about a carat are rarer still. Most are at least moderately included. If your stone is larger than a carat and has no inclusions, it's almost certainly a synthetic.

How much is a moonstone worth?

Moonstones of gem quality are typically anywhere from $5/carat to $50/carat at the higher end. For an average-size ring or small bracelet, you're looking at $250 for top quality. The cost varies based on the adularescence displayed.

How can you tell if you have a real alexandrite?

One key way to determine if your piece is bred from a lab is to monitor its color changes. It is natural for alexandrite to go from blue to purple rather than green to red. However, it is present in mainly African gems - which were only discovered in recent years.

Is alexandrite rarer than diamonds?

Though the discovery of alexandrite in Brazil and various other locations has expanded its availability, it still remains rarer than other gemstones, like diamonds. Alexandrite and Diamond ring by AG Gems.

Is alexandrite more expensive than diamond?

While there may be many key differences between Alexandrite and diamond, but they are quite similar in value. Both gemstones are generally expensive and it is common to find Alexandrite jewelry that costs the same as diamonds. Alexandrite is getting even more expensive due to its rarity as supply steadily declines.

Can alexandrite be 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.

How much is a 1 carat alexandrite stone worth?

Retail prices for 1-carat alexandrite can range from $500-$20,000 per carat. The highest quality specimens under 1ct are typically more than $15,000 per carat. Alexandrite heavier than 0.25cts is already rare, so any stones over 1ct will cost between $50,000 to $70,000 per carat.

What color is the best alexandrite?

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. The more apparent the color change, and the more vivid the colors, the more valuable the gem.

What is the most expensive color alexandrite?

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.

How rare is a moonstone?

Moonstone is rare in both large size and fine quality, but Indian material with strong body color is abundant and very inexpensive. This is fortunate, because the material is usually well-cut and very attractive. Moonstone with a blue sheen, the most valuable kind, rarely occurs in sizes over 15-20 carats.

What is the most rare moonstone?

The rarest and most expensive moonstones will be colorless with a floating blue color or schiller that seems to hover above the stone. This phenomenon is termed adularescence and is due to a combination of orthoclase and albite feldspars, arranged in layers.

Is moonstone a precious gem?

Moonstone is an enchanting semi-precious gemstone which radiates beauty.

Are there synthetic alexandrites?

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.

How much is Russian alexandrite worth?

With Brazil and Russian Origins, you can expect a significant premium price of 2x market rate. Wholesale prices for 1 carat Alexandrite can be $20,000 per carat or more.

How much is synthetic alexandrite worth?

Synthetic Alexandrite sells to the trade from one company at $167 per carat, with a retail of $500 per carat.

What are June colors?

What is June's birth color?

The June Birthstone Color is Light Purple

The June birthstone color of light purple comes from one of the official birthstones for June - Alexandrite. Alexandrite is a rare variety of gem-quality chrysoberyl which has a fascinating color change from blue-green in daylight to red-purple in artificial light.

Which birthstone is the best?

But anyone who, by the luck of the draw, was born in April has been bestowed with the very best birthstone of them all: the diamond.