Alexandrite

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Jewelry 101--Colored Stones

Alexandrite

Discovered in the 1800s, alexandrite is one of the rarest of colored gemstones. “Emerald by day, ruby by night”, alexandrite’s color change is the result of its uncommon chemical composition and has been dubbed the “Alexandrite Effect”.

Alexandrite is the highly valued color changing variety of chrysoberyl.
The color changes under different lighting conditions, in daylight it is greenish blue to dark yellow-green, in incandescent light it is pink to red.
Alexandrite is very rare but new sources in Brazil and Tanzania have made the gemstone more available.
The color change or “Alexandrite Effect” is caused by slight impurities of the element chromium.
Alexandrite is a pleochroic gem so the color intensity of the stone varies when viewed at different angles.
Alexandrite was discovered in 1834 in Czarist Russia. It was named after Czar Alexander II because the old Russian imperial colors were red and green, the same as the stone.
The original site has long since been mined out but alexandrite was found in 1987 in Brazil.
Some Alexandrite can also be found in Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
Alexandrite is an alternate birthstone for June.

Specs

Chemical Formula	BeAl₂O₄	Mineral Class	Chrysoberyl
Color	Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Pink, Purple, Gray, Multicolored
Crystal System	Orthorhombic	Hardness	8.5
Transparency	Transparent to nearly opaque	Luster	Vitreous
Refractory Index	1.744 - 1.755	Double Refraction	0.008 - 0.010

Legends

Legend has it that alexandrite was discovered in the Russian Ural Mountains Emerald mines in 1834, on the same day that future Russian Czar Alexander II came of age. Because of this unique gem’s color change from green to red, the national military colors of Russia, it is perhaps inevitable it would become Imperial Russia’s official gemstone. According to Russian legend alexandrite is a good omen bringing good luck, fortune and love to its owner.

Alexandrite is also believed to be the stone that could bridge the physical and spiritual world. Associated with the crown chakra, it carries strong, warm, healing energies and is believed to strengthen creativity, imagination, and intuition. Wearers of alexandrite will reap the many benefits and astrological powers it posses.