{"id":47,"date":"2015-07-20T16:26:40","date_gmt":"2015-07-20T16:26:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.buygems.org\/gems\/?page_id=47"},"modified":"2018-11-06T20:24:31","modified_gmt":"2018-11-06T20:24:31","slug":"alexandrite","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.buygems.org\/gems\/alexandrite\/","title":{"rendered":"Alexandrite"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"alexandrite\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

Gemstone Information<\/h2>\n

Alexandrite is a rare variety of the Chrysoberyl mineral family, the main quality that differentiate it\u00a0from other Chrysoberyl gemstone<\/a> is the presence of\u00a0trace of the chromophores vanadium and chromium, which mean that alexandrite appears different colors depending on whether it is viewed in natural or incandescent light.<\/p>\n

With a green color in in daylight Alexandrite appears in the tone of\u00a0red color under incandescent light.<\/p>\n

Discovered only in 1830 in the Ural mountains,\u00a0on the birthday of the Czar Alexander II of Russia, Alexandrite is considered a relative young gemstone, discovered in an emerald mine, Alexandrite was first considered the most precious green variety of Beryl, but after he was recognized\u00a0as a chromium bearing, color change variety of Chrysoberyl.<\/p>\n

Duo to its color green and red, it\u00a0was considered the official gemstone of the Russia.<\/p>\n

Natural\u00a0Alexandrite present strong pleochroism and its nice emerald green color can switch to a raspberry red\u00a0(or pink, or orangish yellow color)\u00a0under incandescent light.<\/p>\n

Some rare\u00a0Alexandrite when cut into cabochon can also show an interesting chatoyancy optical effect.<\/p>\n

Click here to buy<\/a> natural Alexandrite gemstone.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"natural-alexandrite-gemstone\"<\/p>\n

Healing Properties<\/h2>\n

This rare stone\u00a0has long been associated with great luck and prosperity,\u00a0associated with discipline and self-control,\u00a0promote concentration and strengthen the ability to learn,\u00a0bring peace to the mind, Alexandrite is the June birthstone and can improve intuition, creativity and imagination.<\/p>\n

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Treatment<\/h2>\n

Usually this kind of Chrysoberyl\u00a0occur on the gem market without treatment, but sometimes they can be dyed or oiled to improve color and clarity.<\/p>\n

There are many synthetic gemstones and simulated stones with appearance\u00a0similar to natural one, like synthetic corundum often sold for Alexandrite.<\/p>\n

Synthetics are available on the market from 1960, but they are expensive to be produced.<\/p>\n

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Origin and gemstone source<\/h2>\n

Mined first in the Ural region\u00a0of Russia, now natural Alexandrite can be mined in Brazil, Africa (Tanzania, Madagascar, Zimbabwe) and India.<\/p>\n

This stone\u00a0occur rarely in large size with gem quality and can be a very expensive gemstone.<\/p>\n

Other source of beautiful material are Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka (Ceylon).<\/p>\n

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Optical Effect<\/h2>\n

Natural stones without any treatment can show an attractive emerald green color in natural daylight that switch to a reddish color under incandescent light.<\/p>\n

Rarely found with transparency or good eye clean clarity, some rare Alexandrite duo to its natural inclusions, can show a chatoyancy effect if the stone is cut the proper way into a cabochon.<\/p>\n

Over one carat stone Alexandrite with good clarity and strong color tone can be very expensive, and raise value higher than emerald, ruby or sapphire.<\/p>\n

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Images and photos<\/h2>\n

\"color<\/a> \"alexandrite<\/a> \"alexandrite-gemstone\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Click here to buy<\/a> natural Alexandrite gemstone.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Uses<\/h2>\n

Usually cut into\u00a0faceted shapes, it is often preferably cut into shape that preserve the most amount of the precious material, can be found on the gem market into oval cut, cushion, pear and sometimes in the round cut at higher price.<\/p>\n

This stone is rarely cut into cabochon, this kind of cut is chosen usually only for Cat’s Eye\u00a0Alexandrite.<\/p>\n

Alexandrite gemstone<\/a> is a really appreciated stone from the jewelers and customers, usually set into high end jewel like: halo ring, often accompanied with diamonds.<\/p>\n

It is a durable gemstone with an hardness of 8.5 in the Mohs scale, so it can also set into other jewels like pendants, earrings, necklace, bracelets.<\/p>\n

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Care and Cleaning<\/h2>\n

Considered a durable stone like other chrysoberyl gemstones, natural color change Chrysoberyl\u00a0is suitable for everyday wear, but it is an expensive gemstone so you must pay some attention to preserve your fabulous gemstone.<\/p>\n

You can clean your\u00a0Alexandrite jewel with soapy water and some tooth brush under cold water and dry it with a soft cloth.<\/p>\n

Gemstone\u00a0with good clarity can be cleaned with ultrasonic machine and steamer machine, but please be careful.<\/p>\n

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Scam and Fraud<\/h2>\n

Good color change and eye clean clarity stones are rare, especially in large size so they are tremendously expensive, on the market can be found some imitation and some synthetic gemstone.<\/p>\n

Sometimes natural or synthetic lab made color change Sapphire gemstones are sold for natural\u00a0Alexandrite.<\/p>\n

Recently also\u00a0some color change Spinels and bluish color change garnet are sold on the market for natural Alexandrite.<\/p>\n

Click here to buy<\/a> natural gemstone.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Typical inclusions<\/h2>\n

Observing this rare color change variety of Chrysoberyl,\u00a0under the microscope, can reveal some typical internal inclusions, like: silk formed by tiny rutile needles,\u00a0some liquid veil and twinning resembling a venetian blind effect.<\/p>\n

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Gemological Info<\/h2>\n