Understanding the Mysterious Beauty of Alexandrite Jewelry Alexandrite is a rare gem prized for its beauty and its bewitching ability to change colors. For nearly two centuries, it has enchanted discerning eyes from all over the world. A connoisseur’s jewel, natural alexandrite is difficult to find and expensive to purchase. Those who manage to get their hands on this precious stone cherish it as an irreplaceable treasure. Emerald by Day, Ruby by Night Alexandrite’s most stunning quality is its ability to change colors. In the light of the sun, it shines bluish-green. Under incandescent light, the stone gleams with a reddish hue. Emerald by day, ruby by night—a remarkable example of nature’s splendor. This uncanny ability to transform from raspberry red to emerald green at the flick of a switch, combined with the power to reflect multiple colors at the same time, has placed alexandrite at the forefront of the world’s most coveted gems. Despite its marvelous qualities, a piece of alexandrite jewelry can appear deceptively simple. A passing glance often fails to reveal the astonishing nature of its color-changing potential. Of course, the very hidden charms and understated beauty that lead the average eye to overlook its qualities have made it the choice of jewelry specialists and gemstone experts the world over. A Chrysoberyl Masterpiece The gemstone’s extreme scarcity and unique properties are the result of its chemical composition. A member of the exotic chrysoberyl family of gemstones, alexandrite contains not only chrysoberyl, but also iron, titanium, and chromium. It is the chromium that gives the jewel its peculiar color-changing properties. The Odd Couple – A strange combination of chemicals (beryllium, one of the primary elements in chrysoberyl, and chromium) also contributes to the unparalleled uniqueness and therefore remarkable scarcity of alexandrite. Beryllium and chromium are typically found in rocks with opposing characteristics. In general, they don’t occur in the same stone at the same time. Their appearance together in alexandrite is one of nature’s rare gifts. One more chemical miracle adds luster to this special stone. Alexandrite lacks silica, one of the most common chemical elements found in Earth’s crust. The absence of silica stops the gem from transforming into pure emerald and, therefore, allows it to retain its distinctive properties. Depending on the particular composition of each gem, alexandrite can come in a few distinct varieties. Some specimens even mirror the quality of another famous chrysoberyl, the cat’s eye. These unique cat’s eye alexandrite jewels are some of the rarest of the rare. The Tsar’s Gem For such a highly regarded gem, alexandrite was discovered relatively recently, in 1834. Found deep in the emerald mines of the Ural Mountains, it was named after the young Alexander II, soon-to-be Tsar of Russia.
In short order, alexandrite became the favorite of Russian master jewelers. Soon after, it won hearts from London to New York. One of the early admirers was Tiffany & Co.’s George Frederick Kunz, who crafted magnificent pieces of jewelry out of the new gemstone. Sadly, alexandrite soon fell off the map. Although seekers could still stumble upon an antique specimen from somewhere in the depths of nineteenth century Russia, jewelry stores were no longer carrying the gem by the mid-twentieth century. That’s because Russian mines quickly exhausted their alexandrite deposits. With no way to obtain the stone, scarcity turned into virtual non-existence. That all changed in 1987, when someone stumbled upon alexandrite deposits in Brazil. The amazing discovery quickly revived interest in the almost forgotten gem. These days, alexandrite stones of varying hue, clarity, and quality can be sourced from Brazil, Africa and India. Summary One of nature’s most magnificent creations, alexandrite is a gem among gems. With understated beauty and a breathtaking ability to change colors, it has earned its place in the top tier of the world’s precious stones. About Alaska Jewelry Alaska Jewelry offers one of the finest selections of natural alexandrite jewelry in the world. Started by Chris and Tamara Fondell in October of 1990 to service the local Sitka community, Alaska Jewelry now supplies the entire globe with first-class jewelry for men and women. Visit our website to browse through our premier collection of alexandrite rings, earrings, and pendants.