Alexandrite: The Gemstone That Changes Color

Alexandrite: The Chameleon Among Gemstones

Alexandrite is one of the world's most fascinating and rarest gemstones. Its unique characteristic: it changes color depending on the light source. Daylight shows green to bluish-green alexandrite, while artificial light makes it appear red to purplish-red. This property has earned it the nickname "emerald by day, ruby by night."

The Story of its Discovery

Alexandrite was discovered in 1830 in the Ural Mountains (Russia) – on Tsar Alexander II's name day – and named after him. Russian alexandrite is still considered the highest quality but is extremely rare and expensive. Today, most alexandrites come from Brazil, Sri Lanka, and India.

What Causes the Color Change?

Alexandrite is a variety of chrysoberyl. Chromium impurities absorb certain wavelengths of light. In daylight (short-wavelength, green-heavy), it appears green, while under incandescent light (long-wavelength, red-heavy), it appears red. The stronger the color change, the more valuable it is.

Quality Criteria for Alexandrite

• Strength of Color Change: Weak change = inexpensive, drastic green-to-red change = extremely valuable
• Clarity: Inclusions reduce value and impair the play of color
• Origin: Russian alexandrite is the gold standard – with an enormous price premium
• Natural vs. Synthetic: Many inexpensive alexandrites are lab-grown – look for a certificate

Alexandrite as a Birthstone

Alexandrite is the alternate birthstone for June – alongside moonstone and pearl. As a birthday gift for those born in June, it is exceptional and meaningful.

At corelunejewellery.de, you will find alexandrite jewelry with a certificate of authenticity – for people who appreciate the extraordinary.