The gemstone alexandrite is a rare and sought-after stone with a unique color and history. High quality gems of this kind can be found in antique Russian jewelry and in jewelry of Victorian England, but its scarcity makes it uncommon in modern jewelry. Its ability to shift from one color to the next depending on lighting and time of day also makes it special.
History
Alexandrite was discovered in 1834 on the day the future Russian tsar Alexander II came of age and therefore it was named after him. It was found by the Tokovaya River in the Urals within nearby emerald mines. Because its red and green tones match with the traditional colors of old Imperial Russia, it was named the national stone of tsarist Russia. Alexandrite deposits were used up in Russia and most of the gems from other countries did not have the same unique color changing qualities until 1987. Since then, high quality alexandrites have been found in Brazil and Tanzania.
Color
The most captivating feature of this gemstone is its ability to change color based on the time of day and type of lighting the wearer is in. In the daylight, alexandrite displays shades of green to blue-green. When the wearer is under artificial light, the stone may take on the colors of red or red-violet. Alexandrites that are of less high quality may appear green during the daylight but a dull brownish-red in incandescent light.
Chemical Composition
The alexandrite is essentially a chrysoberyl in composition, which is a mineral that contains titanium and iron as major components. What makes alexandrite different from other chrysoberyls is that it contains chromium as an impurity, which causes its color-changing abilities. On occasion, vanadium will also contribute to this ability. The chemical beryllium is a major component of chrysoberyl and has contrasting characteristics to chromium, making it rare for them to be found in the same rock formations. This is what makes alexandrite so rare.
Folklore
The gemstone alexandrite is said to have a mysterious and magical feel to it, and it is considered a good omen. It is believed to help its wearer discover hidden possibilities and creative solutions through activation of the intuition. In crisis situations or times when logic fails, it is supposed to succeed in aiding the wearer. Some believe that this gemstone stimulates the imagination and creativity.
Tags: alexandrite rare, from other, , high quality, makes alexandrite, that contains