Chrysoberyl var: Alexandrite (twin) on matrix

Item Description

Alexandrite is the color changing variety of Chrysoberyl, first discovered in Russia, in the 1800s and named after Tsar Alexander II. Good specimens are few and far between, and there are only a handful of worldwide localities that produce pieces like this. This is a classic and fine quality specimen of the famous Alexandrites from Carnaiba featuring "sixling" (more accurately "trilling") twins which are sitting on typical schist matrix. The "arms" of the twins are well-developed and with strong backlighting on the edges, the larger twin passes light and shows a stark and highly desirable color change from a rich purplish-red in warm light to a vibrant green in cool light. The largest Alexandrite measures 2.2 cm across. These are classics from Brazil, and hard to find on the market these days, especially in excellent showy matrix examples like this.
Valued at $3,500.