What is an alexandrite stone?

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.

How much is a real alexandrite stone worth?

The price of Alexandrite can vary from significantly from $10,000 per carat to over $50,000 per carat depending on my factors. For example, 1 Carat Size Alexandrites significantly differ in price depending on origin, clarity, and degree of color change from $3,000 per carat up to $20,000 per carat.

Is alexandrite more expensive than diamonds?

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.

How can I tell if my alexandrite stone is real?

If your stone is larger than a carat and has no inclusions, it's almost certainly a synthetic. A gemologist can tell you for sure after examining the stone under the microscope and conducting a simple test of its optical properties, called a refractive index test. .

Are alexandrite stones 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.

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

What color is real 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.

Who should wear alexandrite gemstone?

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.

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.

Does fake alexandrite change color?

Most gemstones described as synthetic alexandrite are actually simulated alexandrite: Synthetic corundum laced with vanadium to produce the color change. This alexandrite-like sapphire material has been known for almost 100 years.

Does alexandrite scratch easily?

A hard gem, one resistant to scratching, can be quite brittle. Resistance to breaking or chipping would be called toughness. Unfortunately, there is not a gemological scale for toughness. Nonetheless, alexandrite is hard, but only above average in toughness, which means it can be chipped.

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.

What is the rarest birthstone in the world?

The rarest of them all is red diamond which is arguably the rarest birthstone. It is estimated that there are about 20 to 30 red diamond specimens known with the most famous being the 5.1 carat Moussaieff Red.

Is alexandrite good for engagement ring?

While diamonds are by far the most durable gemstones out there, alexandrite isn't a bad option in terms of strength. “Alexandrite is a great choice for an engagement ring due to its 8.5 out of 10 Mohs hardness,” says jewelry designer Nicole Rose Kopelman.

Is alexandrite man made?

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 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.

Why is alexandrite so rare?

The mines in the Ural region of Russia no longer produce large amounts of gem-quality alexandrite. Alexandrite is now mined in parts of Africa, Brazil, and Sri Lanka although the gem is still extremely rare and valuable.

How can you tell the difference between lab created and natural 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 a sapphire?

Synthetic color change sapphires may look like alexandrite stones, but in terms of their structure, they are nothing alike. That's because alexandrite is a variety of the chrysoberyl mineral and is not a sapphire, which is a completely different mineral.

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.

Is June birthstone a pearl or alexandrite?

June is one of only three months (the others are August and December) that has three birthstones, giving you a variety of beautiful birthstone choices. The June birthstones are pearl, alexandrite and moonstone.

Is light amethyst the same as alexandrite?

Alexandrite is found in red and green varieties though it has the ability to turn purple in incandescent light. Amethyst is a variety of quartz with a chemical formula of SiO2. Alexandrite is June birthstone whereas Amethyst is February birthstone. Alexandrite is harder than amethyst.

What is the original birthstone for June?

June | Pearl and Alexandrite

June birthdays claim two birthstones; pearl and Alexandrite. Pearls have been wildly popular in jewelry for centuries because of their natural beauty. Alexandrite gemstones are extremely rare and desirable since they change color based on the lighting.

What are the healing properties of alexandrite?

Alexandrite has big healing energy when it comes to the body. This gemstone is a good talisman to keep close by when you are recovering from an illness or long-term ailment. It has the power to restore the body back to health and it also encourages healthy blood circulation and cleansing of the internal organs too.

What is the most common birthstone for June?

One June birthstone: the pearl. Unlike most gemstones that are found within the Earth, pearls have an organic origin. They are created inside the shells of certain species of oysters and clams.