Alexandrite Heart
US $2.99
Would you like to own a gemstone that can change color like magic and is one of the rarest and most expensive gemstones in the world? Well, if you have answered ‘yes’ then you will want to buy some exquisite alexandrite jewelry.
Alexandrite like all gemstones is formed in the depths of the earth and brought to the surface only by mining or natural geological forces, but what makes alexandrite unusual is that it has only been known to the world for the last couple of hundred years.
Alexandrite is a gemstone that was totally unknown in antiquity and was discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia as recently as the 1830s. The identity of the person who collected the first sample of alexandrite is now unknown, but the sample ended up in the hands of the Finnish mineralogist Nils Gustaf Nordenskjold, who initially thought that it was emerald. However, on further examination the gemstone sample seemed to be too hard to be emerald so he continued his investigations and was astonished to find that when he looked at the gemstone in candlelight that it had completely changed color. He later came to the conclusion that his sample was a totally new gemstone and so he named his new discovery "diaphanite".
So what exactly is this magical, color changing gemstone alexandrite? Alexandrite is actually a rare form of the mineral chrysoberyl, which is the third hardest gemstone in the world. Only diamond and corundum are harder than chrysoberyl. Chrysoberyl produces a static charge when it is rubbed that the stone can retain for a couple of hours.
Because of the hardness of this gemstone, all the forms of chrysoberyl, including alexandrite, are great to use in jewelry because they are so sturdy and durable.
The unique quality of alexandrite is its wonderful ability to change from one well-defined color to another depending on whether you are looking at it in natural daylight or under artificial light. Alexandrite is also a strongly trichroic stone and will display different colors depending on which direction you are looking at the gemstone.
A typical alexandrite can be a blue-green color in daylight and then change color under incandescent light to a rich red-purple color, with the most prized alexandrite gemstones showing the most vibrant, deep color changes. In fact, alexandrite has lead to the new adjective "alexandritic" being coined, which is a description for any transparent gem that shows a distinct change in color when viewed in natural and then in artificial light.
Alexandrite is classed as a Type II gemstone, so clarity is also important, although you would expect some eye-visible inclusions, but not enough to detract from the beauty of the stone.
Color is very important in determining the value of an alexandrite and also the depth of the color change. If you see a stone labeled as alexandrite that color changes from green to yellow, it is more likely to be the less value, as true alexandrite should show a color change of blue-green to red-purple. So care needs to be taken when purchasing alexandrite jewelry and obtain a gemological certificate from a recognized gem laboratory.
|
|
Birthstone June Alexandrite Crystal Hearts Sterling Cross Necklace, 16 $34.50 Faceted color heart crystals are arranged into a cross. An adorable way to show your faith. We have 12 different colors corresponding to the 12 birth-months. Personalize your jewelry with colors from your birth-month! Please note written dimensions as photo is enlarged to show detail.... |
|
|
Birthstone June Alexandrite Hearts Sterling Cross Necklace, 18 $34.50 Faceted color heart crystals are arranged into a cross. An adorable way to show your faith. We have 12 different colors corresponding to the 12 birth-months. Personalize your jewelry with colors from your birth-month! Please note written dimensions as photo is enlarged to show detail.... |
Tagged with: alexandrite heart • heart shaped • necklace • pendant • ring
Filed under: alexandrite
Leave a Reply