Alexandrite

Natural Faceted Gems

Alexandrite is the color-change variety of chrysoberyl. Chromium in its crystal structure absorbs light so that fine stones appear green to bluish green in daylight or fluorescent light and red to purplish red under warmer incandescent light.

Identity

Material or variety: Alexandrite
Scientific or material identity: Chrysoberyl
Classification: Natural mineral or mineral variety
Composition or formula: BeAl₂O₄
Crystal system or structure: Orthorhombic
Geological or manufacturing origin: Can form in more than one geological environment, or combines several materials.
Mohs hardness: 8.5
Specific gravity: 3.70 to 3.78

Origins

Brazil · India · Russia · Sri Lanka · Tanzania

Appearance & optical properties

chrysoberyl shifting green to reddish-purple.

History & discovery

Rich deposits were discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountains in 1830. The gem was named for the future emperor Alexander II, and its red-and-green change echoed the military colors of imperial Russia. Later finds in Sri Lanka, Brazil and East Africa broadened the known sources after the early Russian deposits declined.

Uses & care

Common uses: Alexandrite is faceted for rings, pendants and other jewelry that displays its change under different light sources; rare cat’s-eye material is cut as cabochons.
Handling and cleaning: Alexandrite is durable enough for regular wear. Clean it with warm soapy water; use only that method if the stone has fractures or fillings, and protect it from hard impacts that could chip it.

Jewellery

5 pieces of Alexandrite jewellery. Learners earn each one in DigMyGem by learning words; until then it shows as a silhouette.

Tsar's Talisman Ring
Ring
A heavy gold ring set with one large Ural alexandrite, held to shift from green by day to blood-red by candlelight and to guard its wearer. It is made in the spirit of the stones that became the emblem of imperial Russia.
Twilight Colour-Change Necklace
Necklace
A necklace of graduated alexandrites that glow green at noon and turn raspberry red under lamplight, strung on a fine gold chain. It was made to show off the stone's famous duel of colours.
Emerald-by-Day Tiara
Tiara
A slender gold tiara crowned with rows of alexandrites that look emerald-green in daylight and ruby-red by evening light. Its twin palette echoes the colours once tied to old Russia.
Ural Lily Brooch
Brooch
An imagined lily brooch set with alexandrite, green by day and red-purple by lamplight, named after its Russian mountains.
Two-Light Bracelet
Bracelet
An imagined platinum bracelet of alexandrites, green by day and red-purple by lamplight.