Alexandrite
Those born in the month of June are lucky enough to have three birthstones (Alexandrite, Pearl and Moonstone). With so many attractive options, individuals with June birthdays can have a birthstone that fits their mood, or budget, due to the different price points these gems offer.
Alexandrite, the birthstone for June, is the rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl that changes color in different lighting. Most prized are those Alexandrite birthstones that show a vivid green to blueish green in daylight, or fluorescent light, and an intense red to purplish red in incandescent light. Alexandrite is hard (8.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale) and durable, and top quality examples are rare and valuable.
Definition:
Alexandrite, with its chameleon-like qualities, can be a lovely green in daylight or fluorescent light, changing to brownish or purplish red in incandescent light from a lamp or candle flame. This is a result of the complex way the mineral absorbs light. Other gemstones can also change color in response to different light sources, but this gems transformation is so striking that the phenomenon itself is often called “the alexandrite effect” and often described by gem aficionados as “emerald by day, ruby by night”.
Alexandrite is also a strongly pleochroic gem, which means it can show different colors when viewed from different directions. Typically, its three pleochroic colors are green, orange, and purple-red. However, the striking color change doesn’t arise from the gem’s pleochroism, but rather from the mineral’s unusual light absorbing properties.
Because of its scarcity, especially in larger sizes, Alexandrite is a relatively expensive member of the chrysoberyl family.
The History of Alexandrite
Major alexandrite deposits were first discovered in 1830 in Russia’s Ural Mountains. Those first alexandrites were of very fine quality and displayed vivid hues and dramatic color change. The gem was named after the young Czar Alexander II (1818-1881), heir apparent to the throne. Alexander II was known for emancipating Russia’s serfs and was subsequently assassinated in 1881. Alexandrite caught the country’s attention because its red and green colors mirrored the national military colors of imperial Russia.
Symbolism:
Alexandrite is a crystal of contrasts. It opens intuition and metaphysical abilities, creates a strong will and personal magnetism. Regenerative, it rebuilds self-respect, and supports rebirth of the inner and outer self. Alexandrite centers, reinforces, and realigns the mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies. It brings joy, expands creativity, expedites change, and enhances manifestation. An emotional soother, Alexandrite teaches how to expend less effort. It stimulates imagery, including dreams and the imagination.
In healing it aids the nervous system, spleen, pancreas, and male reproductive organs and regenerates neurological tissue. Alexandrite treats non-assimilation of protein, side effects of leukemia, and relieves tension from neck muscles. It has a powerful detoxifying action and stimulates the liver.
The landscape of the Russia’s Ural Mountains
Location:
Originally discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountains in the 1830s, however, the spectacular Ural Mountain deposits didn’t last forever, and now it is found in Sri Lanka, East Africa and Brazil. The newer deposits contain some fine-quality stones, but many display less precise color change and muddier hues than the nineteenth-century Russian Alexandrites.
One can still find estate jewelry set with some of the famed Ural Mountain Alexandrites. They remain the quality standard for this phenomenal gem.
Care & Cleaning:
Alexandrite is durable (8.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale) – a great choice for rings and mountings subject to daily wear.
Cleaning with warm, soapy water is recommended. Alexandrite is rarely treated, but might have fractures. Only clean “fracture-filled” gemstones with warm, soapy water.
Why We Love This Gemstone
Color Change:
Making Alexandrite change color from green to red is the world’s most fun use of a penlight.
Light Source:
This gem provides dramatic proof of how much the light source affects the color in gems.
Phenomena:
Alexandrite can show both color change and a cat’s-eye: two phenomena in one gem.
COLOR
Fine Alexandrite is green to blueish green in
daylight and red to purplish red in incandescent light.
CLARITY
Good quality Alexandrite has few inclusions. Rarely, needle-like inclusions create a cat’s-eye.
CUT
Alexandrite is most often available in mixed cuts. Its rarity means it is often cut to save weight.
CARAT
Most cut gems weigh less than
one carat. Larger, higher quality gems
rise in price dramatically.