Alexandrite Buying Guide: a comprehensive guide on Alexandrite gems

Alexandrite the original color change gem.

If you or a loved one was born in June now is the time to buy an Alexandrite. The prices have never been lower.

Discovered in 1830 in Russia and named after Czar Alexander II, who was then Crown Prince of Russia, Alexandrite appears to change color under different forms of light. It can look red when viewed in candle light, green when viewed in fluorescent light and blue green in sunlight. It appears reddish purple in standard electric, tungsten light, and in daylight it appears blue green. In artificial light Alexandrite will change to reddish purple or deep purple.

In the year 1987 Alexandrites were discovered in a place called Hematita in Brazil. The Brazilian Alexandrite contained a distinctive color change with good clarity and color. Brazilian Alexandrites have a green to orange red color change that is not as crisp as the color change in a Russian Alexandrite.

What to look for in buying and Alexandrite.

With its good hardness of 8.5, Alexandrite is an uncomplicated stone to wear.

The more intensive the change of color, the more valuable the stone.

Beware of those selling 100% color change Alexandrite this is very uncommon. 75% is closer to the norm.
Flawless, large, perfect clarity, 100% color change Alexandrite, pretty much don't exist. If you see one for sale it is most likely a fake.

Fine Alexandrite, especially in qualities of over one carat, is extreamly rare, thus Alexandrites have become one of the most expensive gemstones in the world. It is rarer than fine Ruby, Sapphire or Emerald.

Its value does mainly depend on the depth of the color change: a really fine Alexandrite should show a vivid green in daylight, and change to purple-red or deep purple in artificial light, without any trace of undesired brown. As seen in the picuture above.

Natural Alexandrite for sale

These are Natural mined from the earth Alexandrite gems

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Alexandrite is used as a gemstone.

Alexandrite is used as a gemstone. Faceted alexandrite gemstones with good color change are considered very valuable, even when visible inclusions are present.

Not all Alexandrites change color. Some just stay a nice green or sea foam green color. These Gems are not as desirable as color changing Alexandrites and therefore are much more affordable.

Alexandrite is the traditional Birthstone for the month of June, but do to its rarity, the Birthstone for June was changed to Pearl.

Now with a new source of Alexandrite available, thousands of June babies like myself are clamoring to get our hands on one of these rare Beauties.

Small Alexandrite, under .50 carats is easily availible and relitively inexpensive and can be found on Ebay for under $50.00.

When buying an Alexandrite on Ebay, or anywhere, Ask Questions! Check Feedback! When buying any expensive item, look for a seller with at least 100 feedback points and a score of at least 99%. Be leery of Asian sellers. There are too many scams, high shipping and often big hassles with returns. Remember, Alexandrites over 1 carat in size are VERY rare and should cost several thousand dollars. If the deal sounds to good to be true it probably is.

Other color change gems

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Andalusite

Garnet

Labradorite

Iolite

Sapphire

Like the gems you have seen on this lens?

Would you like to own one?

Now is your chance!

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The Carat Farm

USA based Gem Wholesaler

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