Is natural alexandrite expensive?
Size always affects alexandrite value. You can see this reflected in our Price Guide below. In sizes up to one carat, top-quality natural gems can sell for up to $15,000 per carat. Over one carat, the prices range from $50,000 to $70,000 per carat!
Can you get natural alexandrite?
Natural alexandrite, mined from the Earth, is very rare and quite stunning. These factors help create a market for synthetic alexandrite, especially as an option for jewelry use. Alexandrite has developed such a mystique that it’s become a popular alternative to the traditional June birthstone: pearl.
Is alexandrite a natural stone?
The natural alexandrite is recognized as an extremely rare and hard to find gemstone. Its distinguishing characteristic is the color change phenomenon, varying from a greenish blue in daylight to a reddish purple in incandescent light.
How can I tell if my alexandrite stone is real?
Genuine alexandrites of about one carat are sometimes (rarely) without eye-visible inclusions, so the fact that you can’t see anything in the stone doesn’t mean it’s not genuine. A look under the microscope at 10X or more is recommended. A large, inclusion-free, color-change alexandrite.
Is Alexandrite worth more than diamond?
While there may be many key differences between Alexandrite and diamond, but they are quite similar in value. Both gemstones are generally expensive and it is common to find Alexandrite jewelry that costs the same as diamonds. Alexandrite is getting even more expensive due to its rarity as supply steadily declines.
What is the true color of Alexandrite?
Alexandrite, with its chameleon-like qualities, is a rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. Its color can be a lovely green in daylight or fluorescent light, changing to brownish or purplish red in the incandescent light from a lamp or candle flame. This is a result of the complex way the mineral absorbs light.
What color is natural Alexandrite?
Alexandrite is the color-change variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. Alexandrite is bluish green in daylight or fluorescent light. Alexandrite is purplish red in incandescent light or candlelight.
Does Alexandrite scratch easily?
Gem and mineral hardness is measured on the Mohs scale. The numbers are based on the relative ease or difficulty with which one mineral can be scratched by another. Alexandrite is relatively hard—8.5 on the Mohs scale.
What color is real Alexandrite?
Does fake Alexandrite change color?
Most gemstones described as synthetic alexandrite are actually simulated alexandrite: Synthetic corundum laced with vanadium to produce the color change. The material shows a characteristic purple-mauve color change which, although attractive, differs from alexandrite because there is never any green.
Does natural Alexandrite change color?
Alexandrites are remarkable and rare gemstones. They display an extraordinary colour change according to the ambient lighting, from emerald green in daylight to ruby red in incandescent light from tungsten lamps or candles.
What is the true color of alexandrite?
What are the uses of alexandrite stone?
Alexandrite has been used for crystal healing since its discovery. Overall, the gemstone is believed to bring good fortune to its owner and help enhance self-esteem. It has been used for healing inner ear problems, clearing the lymph system, and for disorders related to the blood and circulatory system in general.
Where do the best alexandrite gemstones come from?
Overall the best alexandrites are probably from Brazil, but exceptional stones can also be found in India, Tanzania and Madagascar. Brazilian stones are known for their distinctive color change that looks great under any kind of light.
What gemstone is alexandrite a variety of?
Gemstone Information. Alexandrite is a rare variety of the Chrysoberyl mineral family, the main quality that differentiate it from other Chrysoberyl gemstone is the presence of trace of the chromophores vanadium and chromium , which mean that alexandrite appears different colors depending on whether it is viewed in natural or incandescent light.
What does an alexandrite gemstone look like?
Alexandrite is a strongly pleochroic (dichroic) gemstone and will exhibit emerald green, red and orange-yellow colors and tend to change color in artificial light compared to daylight.