Alexandrite

Item Description

Here we have a fine quality Alexandrite from one of the best localities for the material. Alexandrite is not an actual species, bur rather the color changing variety of Chrysoberyl. The very first Alexandrite crystals and gem came from Russia, and are valuable and highly sought after collectors stones today. The term "Alexandrite-type" refers to a gemstone that changes colors in different temperature lighting. You'll typically see stones that change from a warmer hue i.e., pink to a cooler hue i.e., green or blue when exposed 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 "Trillion" 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 very slightly included, and exhibits a good color change as it shifts from a beautiful blue-green hue in sunlight to a beautiful pinkish-purple color in halogen lighting. It was VERY difficult to illustrate the color change, and it honestly shows a different hue in 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 starting bid.