As the stone was discovered on the birthday of Russia’s Prince Alexander II in 1830 in the emerald mines located near the Ural Mountains, it is named after him.

It belongs to the Chrysoberyl family, and the beautiful display of color makes it one of its kind and an absolutely treasured gemstone among-st the gem enthusiasts. Under daylight, the gem’s color comes out to be greenish blue to dark yellow-green.

But when viewed in incandescent or candlelight, its color looks pink to red. This remarkable property makes it one of the most cherished gems that we have in this day and age.

Formation and Chemical Composition

Alexandrite is a rare variety of chrysoberyl, with a unique chemical composition that gives it its color-changing properties. Its chemical formula is BeAl₂O₄, and it contains traces of chromium, which is responsible for its color shift. The color change phenomenon, known as the “alexandrite effect,” occurs due to the way chromium atoms absorb and reflect light in different environments.

Alexandrite forms under specific geological conditions, typically in metamorphic rocks, where beryllium, aluminum, and chromium come together in the right amounts. These conditions are extremely rare, which explains the gemstone’s scarcity.

Types of Alexandrite

While the classic color change from green to red is the most sought-after, Alexandrite can display a range of colors depending on its origin and chemical composition. Here are the major types of Alexandrite:

1. Russian Alexandrite: This is the most famous and desirable variety, known for its pronounced color change. Russian Alexandrite typically shifts from vibrant green in daylight to deep red or purple-red under incandescent light.
2. Brazilian Alexandrite: Brazilian stones tend to exhibit less dramatic color changes, often shifting from teal or bluish-green to purple or reddish-violet. They are still highly valued, but generally less expensive than Russian Alexandrites.
3. Sri Lankan Alexandrite: The stones from Sri Lanka often show a pastel green color in daylight and shift to brownish-red or reddish-purple under incandescent light. These Alexandrites may have more muted tones compared to their Russian and Brazilian counterparts.
4. African Alexandrite: Alexandrite from Africa, particularly from Tanzania, displays color changes similar to Sri Lankan stones but can occasionally exhibit vivid green and red hues. These are more affordable but are gaining popularity in the market.

Alexandrite Stone’s Mystical Powers

With stunning looks come mystical powers of Alexandrite Gemstone that have made it a sensation across the world. This stone is brings immense luck, love and good fortune in the lives of the wearers.

Besides this, the stone is said to enhance romance, and thus, makes a perfect gift for couples.

Alexandrite Gemstone can bring great joy in the lives of the users and may give them hope in the times of difficulties.

As a matter of fact, instead of merely bringing joy and happiness in your life, this stone helps you become a source of joy for yourself so that you don’t have to depend on others to be happy.

Another amazing power of this gemstone is that it strengthens creativity and intuition, helping one progress in their chosen field.

And those who often face emotional turmoils can also heal using this stone which increases emotional well-being and self-esteem. It increases your willpower and gives you the courage to follow your dreams.

Just as Alexandrite strengthens the mind, it also heals the body physically. Those who have been recovering from any chronic illness or surgery can get benefits using this stone as it helps in restoring internal as well as physical energy.

The stone is also helpful in treating medical conditions related to the spleen and pancreas. In addition, it also helps in the regeneration of neurological tissues and treating those who suffer from the problem of Leukemia.

Alexandrite’s Physical Properties

One of the key distinguishing features of this amazing stone is the presence of iron, titanium, and chromium as major impurities that make it stand apart from the rest. It is this unique combination of elements that gives the stone its incredible green color.

While you can find many Alexandrite stones in a yellowish green or brownish green hue, the most valuable of these stones come in the shade of emerald gemstone-like green and ruby gemstone-like red. The more opaque the shade of the stone is, the more expensive it is.

The stone usually comes in smaller sizes than five carats. Alexandrites that are above five carats are mostly consider large and demand a great price.

Over the years, the stone has been found in various parts of the world. From Russia to Brazil, there are several sources of the gorgeous Alexandrite gemstone.

These are comes from Burma, India, Madagascar, Southern Tanzania, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.

How to Identify Real Alexandrite

Due to its rarity, Alexandrite is often imitated or synthesized in laboratories. When purchasing an Alexandrite gemstone, it’s essential to verify its authenticity. Here are some ways to identify real Alexandrite:

1. Color Change Test: Genuine Alexandrite will display a distinct color change when viewed in different lighting conditions. If the gemstone doesn’t shift colors or the change is minimal, it may not be a true Alexandrite.
2. Magnification: Under magnification, natural Alexandrite may show inclusions or internal imperfections, which are typical of naturally occurring stones. Synthetic or imitation Alexandrites tend to be flawless.
3. Certification: Always ask for a certification from a reputable gemological laboratory. This will verify the stone’s authenticity and origin.
4. Reputable Sellers: Purchase Alexandrite from trusted and established jewelry dealers or gemstone vendors. Be cautious of stones that are priced too low, as genuine Alexandrite is expensive due to its rarity.

How to care for your Alexandrite Jewelry?

When it comes to taking care of the stunning Alexandrite jewelry. It is important to remove it while performing chores that may ruin the beauty of the stone.

Wearing this precious jewelry while performing repairing tasks or doing gardening is not really recommended even though the stone has a hardness of 8.5 on the Moh’s scale and is pretty durable.

Thus, keeping it safe from harsh chemicals and high temperatures is important.

For cleaning the Alexandrite jewelry, you can use a bowl of water and mix it with a few drops of mild dish soap. After cleaning, rinse the jewelry and dry it using a soft cloth.

Apart from the regular cleaning. This type of jewelry can also clean by using professional services like an ultrasonic bath or steam cleaning.

Also, store the jewelry separately in a fabric-lined box to avoid scratches. Proper care will increase the life of your Alexandrites and will help them keep looking like new.

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