Natural Alexandrite: A Regal Addition to Any Jewelry Collection Regal Richly Colored Two Looks in One
First Findings The Mine • Emerald miners in Russia first discovered Alexandrite in the 1830’s
The Mystery • When the stone was discovered in the mines, workers thought they had dug out more emeralds. Later that night, by the campfire the stones looked red to reddish purple.
Rich Russian History • Found around the time • of the time of the Tsar’s coronation, Alexandrite was named for Tsar Alexander II.
Alexandrite jewelry soon became a favorite with Russian royals and was named the imperial stone of Russia since the royal family’s colors were green and red.
Daylight Exposure Alexandrite is a form of color change crysoberyl. The true Natural Alexandrite is the most rare of the crysoberyl stones. By daylight alexandrite looks green to blue-ish green or teal.
Dramatic Change by Night • Miners noticed that in the firelight the stones they thought to be emeralds had taken on a red hue. Incandescent light makes alexandrite change colors. • In the brighter indoor lighting of today, most alexandrite jewelry will not exhibit a dramatic green to red change, but will instead transition from blue-ish green to purple or purple-ish red.
Clarity and Color • Color is the first and foremost indicator of Alexandrites value. • If you want an Alexandrite ring with drastic green to red color change: not that the stone will have inclusions and will be opaque.
• Alexandrite pendants, earrings, and rings , and stones have the classic color change and excellent clarity.
Value Verifiers Color green, blue-green to purple, purple-red or red. Clarity in combination with desired color. Cut Least affect on value
The Real Deal Real • Green or blue green to purple or purple red. The richer the color, the grater the value. • Commands a higher price.
Cultured • Greenish yellow to brown or orange. Color and clarity that is too good to be true. Inexpensive but often passed off as the real gem , fetching a higher price than what is due.
New Mines • It was originally thought that the only source of Alexandrite was Russia. • In the 1980’s a large mine of Alexandrite was discovered in Brazil. • Most gemologist labs do not have the proper technology to determine whether a gem comes from Russia, Brazil, or some other region.
Mystifying Connections • Gemstones have long been attributed with mysticism and legend, but alexandrite has fewer of these legends due to its fairly recent discovery.
• A psychic stone • A charm to clear and strengthen blood vessels.
Alaska Jewelry Company • Company URL: http://www.alaskajewelry.com/ Company Phone: 1-800-360-5744