Alexandrite

L'alexandrite is a variety of chrysoberyl, a mineral relatively uncommon in nature, composed of beryllium oxide and aluminum. This stone is famous for its color change depending on the light.

Due to the absorption of light by chrome, under natural lighting it appears in green tones. Under artificial light, red tones can be seen. In addition, it also changes color depending on the viewing angle, a bit like tourmalines, because alexandrite is also characterized by a phenomenon of pleochroism.

Thus, the color of alexandrite is green (blue-green, green-yellow and other shades varying mainly depending on the origin), as well as the red (or purple, red-violet, red-brown, etc.), depending on the lighting.

With a hardness of 8.5 Mohs and rarely treated, the alexandrite stone is very popular for creating jewelry. Today, it comes mainly from Brazil and countries such as Madagascar and SriLanka, Australia and India. To purchase an original stone, also consult our saphirs multicolores. Our precious stones are obtained without intermediaries.

Alexandrite takes its name from Tsar Alexander II, Emperor of Russia from 1855 to 1881, who worshiped this stone. It was identified at the beginning of the 19th century, in Russia, but there are different versions concerning the mineralogists who found it. Today, although alexandrite mines are exhausted in Russia, specimens from this country remain the most coveted, for their often exceptional quality.

A raw alexandrite in lithotherapy can be used to increase virtues such as kindness and compassion. This stone is associated with positive thoughts, the desire to move forward peacefully, to recover from trials, as well as harmony and love. It is attributed with many benefits on an emotional and physical level. Additionally, alexandrite is traditionally a lucky stone. It is also the stone of the month of June for a bague de naissance.

We support you for a buying alexandrite, in order to create a piece of jewelry or invest in a stone. Multiple criteria must be taken into account for this rare stone whose prices can be very high.

Alongside the color, carats, clarity and quality of the cut, as with any stone, the change in color is a determining criterion in the price of an alexandrite. The most precious alexandrites offer a fairly radical color change. There is a clear distinction between green and red. Note that the larger an alexandrite is, the less visible this phenomenon is. But apart from a few exceptions, alexandrites are relatively small stones.

Regarding color, alexandrites the most coveted have no secondary color and present a very clear red and green. Additionally, it can cost significantly more tobuy an alexandrite from Brazil or Russia, because these countries are renowned for having produced superb specimens (the mines in Brazil also tend to be empty now). Like diamonds, some cost tens of thousands of euros per carat.

Don't take any risks and buy an alexandrite with certificate of authenticity, whether you want have an alexandrite ring created or obtain a specimen for a stone collection. Several gems can resemble it, for example some grenats, but none change color like it does !