Alexandrite The Chameleon Stone

Alexandrite in daylight and at night. (See comments.)

In 1830 a new stone was discovered in Russia's Ural Mountains. According to one (at issue) story, it was named after the Russian Tsar's 12 year old son, who later became Alexander II, an association giving the new mineral world attention. It is now found in Sri Lanka, East Africa, India and Brazil, but is very rare and therefore valuable.

Not only is alexandrite a rare gemstone in nature, it is a rare variety of chrysoberyl, an aluminate of beryllium with a hardness rating of 8.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, making it suitable to wear in rings, necklaces and bracelets.

Jewelers describe the gem as an "emerald by day and a ruby at night" because the chrysoberyl changes color. The stone can be a rich green in fluorescent light (i.e. sunlight; daylight) changing to a purplish [more valuable] or brownish [less valuable] red in the incandescent light from a lamp or candle at night. It has to do with the complex way in which alexandrite aborbs light. The chameleon-like qualities of this unusual chrysoberyl are so striking that such transformations in the jewelry industry are known as the "alexandrite effect."

Because it is scarce and one of the gemstones most difficult to obtain in nature, top quality natural alexandrite can sell for up to $15,000 per carat. A size over 3 carats gets very expensive.💰👑

Three characteristics determine the price: 1) Size - Bigger stones cost $50,000 - $70,000 ... more than diamonds, emeralds, rubies or sapphires; 2) It's dramatic color changing effect - i.e. how well it changes color; and 3) A color change closest to green and red - is more expensive than other combinations. The original fine stones found in Russia's Ural Mountains set the standard of what colors are most desirable in the stones.

Images by Charlie Bexfield, Gem-A.

Certain types of alexandrites called cymophane have a "cat's eye effect," -- a band of light similar to light bouncing off a cat's eye. It was made popular in the 19th century by another royal son, Prince Arthur, the 7th child of Queen Victoria, who gave a ring with a cat's eye to Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia as an engagment gift.

Alexandrite is the birthstone (along with pearls and moonstones) for people born in the month of June, yet you will be hard pressed to find anyone born in June who can afford the natural gemstone. But hey, if you ever were to cough up the moola to buy the gem, it will appear you bought two pieces of jewelry, one you wear during the day and another at night!🤣😁

Another look at alexandrite in the center.

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