Alexandrite

Item Description

In the gem world, perhaps the most well-known color changing stone is Alexandrite. This rare and desirable variety of Chryosberyl was first discovered in Russia, and those old stones are valuable collectors items 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 chage is extremely rare and is only exhibited in a few gems around the world. About 30 years ago, there was a discovery of some fine quality gem Alexandrite from the Girdlestone Farm in Zimbabwe. This "Oval" 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 only very very slightly included, and exhibits a noteworthy color change as it shifts from a beautiful light silvery-pink hue indoors to a bluish-green in sunlight. The shows about a 90% color change, and it was VERY difficult to photograph, but it honestly shows a different color is various temperature light sources. Top Alexandrite gems from contemporary localities can retail for a few thousand dollars per carat on the high end market, so a stone of this size and clarity is certainly a very worthwhile pickup for the $100 start bid.