ALEXANDRITE

REFRACTIVE INDEX   1.746-1.755

HARDNESS   8.5

SPECIFIC GRAVITY    3.68 – 3.80

MINERAL  CLASS        Chrysoberyl    

 

  

Alexandrite is a fascinating gemstone,  rarest of the precious stones and has wonderful qualities that make it sought after. 

It is a color change variety of chrysoberyl,  one of the finest color change gemstones in nature,  depending on the light source, it can be  either  red or green.  The best Alexandrite exhibit a grass green color in daylight that turns to a raspberry red in yellow colored light.  It is therefore, called a gem that is 'Emerald by day Ruby by night'. An  important value factor is the attractiveness of the two colors - the more intense each color is better ...  also, the quality of color change is often mentioned in percentage basis, with 100% change being the ideal for this gemstone. 
 

 It is so rare, that a clear, 100% colour change stone is highly priced and, therefore, a good investment.

The Ural Mountains in Russia are home to the finest Alexandrites.  Although Russsia was the original source of this gem, today the majority of the Alexandrites are being mined in Sri Lanka.  Also, Alexandrites are mined in Madagascar, Myanmar, Zimbabwe and India.