Alexandrite

Alexandrite stone is a rare gem known for its unusual yet striking optical properties. It is an extraordinary gem that can change color under different lighting conditions. The color shifts from green to red is mesmerizing. The more intense the dramatic shift of this hue, the higher the price of the stone. Alexandrite’s worth increases with its carat weight. They can cost you more than precious gemstones like diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. It is used for expensive jewelry and healing properties. This rare gemstone is associated with traditional beliefs that it brings luck and wealth to the wearer. It is a popular birthstone for June and a fifty-fifth wedding anniversary gem.

History and Origin

Alexandrite stone was first discovered in 1830 near the Ural Mountains in Russia. It belongs to the chrysoberyl family, which is beryllium aluminum oxide. This gemstone was named before the name of the Czar Alexander II. It became popular initially as the stone’s color resembled the Russian national military colors. Alexandrite gem, meaning in historical lores, states it is the “stone of good fortune and prosperity.” It was known for its profound benefits, like enhancing intuition and creativity. With the unusual color-changing property, it is referred to as “emerald by day and ruby by night.”

Benefits

This June birthstone is a lucky stone for zodiac signs Cancer, Leo, Taurus, Gemini, and Virgo. It is used as crystal healing, where the positive energy of the gem aids in relief from blood-related issues, detoxifying the body, and improving digestion. This rare chrysoberyl stone is said to maintain hormonal balance and enhance fertility. Those who have hectic lifestyles can wear this calming stone. It will help ease anxiety and depression. Students preparing for university exams or interview professionals can wear natural alexandrite. This will help in boosting self-confidence and promote positive thinking. Those undergoing financial pressures are advised to wear this color-changing stone, which is believed to attract wealth.

How to Wear

The Alexandrite engagement ring is the most trending piece of jewelry nowadays. This stone’s visual treat and symbolism add more value to it. Wearing this engagement ring on the ring finger offers happiness, love, and trust. Alexandrite earrings are a testament to rarity and elegance for everyday style.
It is a meaningful gift, so it is for those celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary. The gemstone symbolizes everlasting love and remembering the beautiful moments of the journey. Keeping it as a crystal in your workplace and home allows you to be grounded and safe. If you are allergic to metals and thus wearing alexandrite jewelry is unsuitable, you can meditate with them.
You can hold it in your right hand or place it on your forehead. It works wonderfully to relax your body, mind, and soul. This rare gemstone is known for its healing properties. By stimulating the third eye, heart, and throat chakras, it brings individuals self-expression, good communication, peace, love, and compassion.

Quality and Price

Alexandrite stone cost ranges from US$1,783 to US$11 731 per carat and can extend more depending upon the 4 C’s.

• Color: The alexandrite color is green in daylight, which changes to brownish or purplish red in the lamplight. This unusual hue is due to trace elements like chromium, iron, and vanadium. Rare chrysoberyl showing intense color-changing properties, also known as the “alexandrite effect,” are priced high. This property is exclusively revealed by those gems sourced from Russia. However, other sources prevalent are India, Tanzania, Madagascar, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.

Ceylon alexandrite is less expensive than those abstained from Russia. Apart from color shift intensity, saturation also plays an important role. The more saturated the color is, the higher its value. The color grading scale for these rare chrysoberyl tangs ranges from AAAA-A. 4A are heirloom quality stones found in only 1% of all original stones. 3A are fine qualities that are also rarely found in the marketplace. AA is a good quality gem, whereas B color grade is average quality.

• Clarity: The common imperfections found in these rare gems are needles, crystals, fluorite, mica platelets, and multi-phase inclusions. Those with few or no inclusions are rare to find, and thus, prices are higher. However, treatments are not common, but oil-enhanced stones are available. Lab-grown alexandrite are budget-friendly options that look like the natural ones. The scarcity of original stones has increased due to environmental impacts. Thus, more lab-grown gems are coming up on the market. So, options are more, but if you seek spiritual and healing properties, nothing can replace the power and energy of original gems.
• Cut: With every move, your Alexandrite rings look stunning; what’s special about them? Despite the color shift, these stones also show the pleochroism phenomenon. It means that you see different colors at different angles. In the case of chrysoberyl, you see different shades like purple, red, green, and orange. This is another peculiar property possessed by only a few gems. The more finely it is cut, the more apparent this phenomenon is.
• Carat Weight: Higher carat weight gems are expensive. They are rare to find. It is difficult to find this color-changing stone above 2 carat weight. Larger-sized gems showcase an excellent visual appeal. High-carat alexandrite stones make a good investment. Certification provides authenticity to gems and thus adds more value to them.