Alexandrite is a rare stone known for its changing colors.
Alexandrite is a rare gemstone known for its changing colors. The stone is mined in Russia, Tanzania, Brazil, India, Burma, Madagascar and Zimbabwe. Because of its unusual chemical composition, many of the alexandrite stones found today are synthetic.
The Colors of Alexandrite
Alexandrite is a beautiful stone. One of its best known attributes is its ability to change colors. The gemstone appears bluish-green in natural light and like the sun and purplish-red in artificial light. Both natural alexandrite and synthetic alexandrite change colors. Synthetic alexandrite must be sold with a disclosure that it is man-made.
Chemical Composition
The reason natural alexandrite is scarce and found only in a handful of places is because its formation requires very specific conditions. Alexandrite forms when the chemical elements beryllium and chromium come into contact with each other in the absence of silica. Silica will cause the two elements to grow into an emerald if it is present. Chromium gives alexandrite its ability to change color.
Value
Gemologists can determine the exact value of alexandrite. The most valuable of the stones are those with distinct color changes. The most valuable do not show any trace of brown or gray in the stones and are from Russia.
Trivia
Alexandrite is named after Alexander II because it was discovered on his birthday in 1834 in the Ural Mountains of Russia. The stone's colors -- green and red -- are the official colors of the Russian Imperial Guard.
Alexandrite is considered to be a good omen and is said to help with creativity and intuition.
Tags: ability change, Alexandrite rare, change colors, changing colors, known changing