Alexandrite

Item Description

Alexandrite is one of the most valuable and sought after gems in the world. Some people classify it as a precious gem alongside Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. Technically, Alexandrite is the color changing variety of Chrysoberyl. The very first Alexandrite crystals and gems were found Russia in the 1800s, and named after Czar Alexander II. These old Russian stones (and even newer contemporary gems) are valuable collectors stones today. The term "Alexandrite-type" color change is often used when a stone changes from a warmer hue i.e., pink to a cooler hue i.e., green or blue when expose to different light sources i.e., indoor lighting and sunlight. This color change is extremely rare and is only exhibited in a few gems around the world. In the 1980s, there was a discovery of some fine quality gem Alexandrite from the Girdlestone Farm in Zimbabwe. This "Cushion Brilliant" cut stone came out of an old stash of gems from a recent collection acquisition and are some of the best Zimbabwean Alexandrite on the market in many years. The gem is slightly included, and exhibits a good color change as it shifts from a pastel blue-green hue in sunlight to a more of a soft silvery-beige color under halogen lighting. It was VERY difficult to illustrate the color change accurately, and it honestly shows a different hue in various temperature light sources. Top quality Alexandrite gems from contemporary localities can retail for many thousands dollars per carat on the high end market for reference, though this stone is not quite at that level of quality.