Alexandrite (multi-stone set)

Item Description

Most people are familiar with Alexandrite, the color changing variety of Chrysoberyl. These stones date back to the 1830s in the Ural Mountains of Russia. The early Alexandrite gem and crystals were of very fine quality and displayed vivid hues and dramatic color change. The material was so beautiful and unique, and that it was named after Alexander II because according to legend, it was discovered on the future czar's birthday in 1834.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. About 30 years ago, there was a discovery of some fine quality gem Alexandrite from the Girdlestone Farm in Zimbabwe. Here we have a 6 stone set of "Round Brilliant" cut stones that came out of an old stash of gems from a recent collection acquisition. These are some of the best Zimbabwean Alexandrite on the market in many years. These gems range from moderately included to very slightly included (they look better in person than the photos indicate), and exhibit a fairly decent color change as they shift from a beautiful greenish (with a slight blue overtone) in sunlight to a lovely silvery color in indoor lighting. The stones show about an 80% color change, and they were VERY difficult to photograph, but the set honestly shows a different colors 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 6 stone set like this is certainly a worthwhile pickup for the starting bid.