If you are looking for more information on alexandrite stone then, you’ve come to the right place.
A Guide To Alexandrite Stone
Alexandrite Stone
Alexandrite stone is a type of chrysoberyl. In layman’s terms, a chrysoberyl stone that can change color, typically from green to red, can be classified as an alexandrite stone. It is a color changing gemstone, which, like other gemstones that display this interesting phenomenon, achieves an almost complete transmission both in the green portion and the red portion of the spectrum, and also displays a propensity to absorb the yellow portions. The color-changing phenomenon originates from the dependency of the stone on the spectral intensity of the source of light falling upon it.
The 3Cs Of Buying Alexandrite Stone
Alexandrite Pendant
When purchasing an alexandrite stone, one has to be mindful of the 3Cs: the color, the cut and the clarity.
The color of the stone is its most unique, and hence the most attractive feature. The degree to which the stone shows a color-changing tendency is the greatest determining factor of its sale-worthiness. The color change propensity is measured in terms of percentage usually; the higher, the degree the more favorable it is. Using this system of measurement, stones that show a color-change property of less than 30% are not considered to be authentic alexandrite. Most alexandrite stones change colors between a bluish-green to a plum-red tone.
Different Cuts & Shapes
The cut of the stone determines its appearance, and by vote of popularity, its value in the market. The oval cut and the cushion cut are the most liked styles in the market, while the emerald cut and the round shape are less common, but still popular amongst niche buyers.
The clarity of the alexandrite determines its value and price. When it comes to judging clarity, the stone is held in comparison to rubies. Stones with clean-cut faces weighing more than 1 carat are unusual while stones in sizes measuring more than 2 and 3 carats are extremely hard to find.
Pricing Of The Alexandrite Stone
Alexandrite Earrings
When it comes to pricing, the alexandrite stone is one of the most costly gemstones in the world. In terms of pricing, the stone is held in the same regard as high quality emeralds or rubies. As is the case with all gemstones in the market, they can also be purchased for a cheap pricing-per-carat system but such stones are typically flawed, show less color change and do not have sharply polished facets.
Tracing The Etymology Of The Stone
Tracing the origin of the name of the stone yields interesting, and historically significant results. The root of the name ‘alexandrite’ can be traced back to the mineralogist Nordenskjöld who coined the name of the stone. Nordenskjöld chose to call the stone ‘alexandrite’ as an ode to Alexander II, the famed czar of Russia. The decision to name the precious stone of the czar was taken in honor of marking the event of the czar’s coming of age.
Alexandrite Ring
An interesting link between the naming of the stone and its connection to the czarist regime is that the formal imperial colors of the ancient Russian kingdoms were green and red, which are fascinatingly, the colors that the stone changes to display. The mineralogist also chose to name the stone after the Russian czar because the stone was originally traced to have been discovered in Russia. Since then, stones have been found all over the world, from Brazil, Tanzania, Burma to India, Madagascar and Zimbabwe.
