Recently we just acquired a 5ct+ alexandrite gemstone with an amazing colour change. The base colour (green) looks like a nice green tourmaline with a tinge of red (due to the strong colour change) under natural light.
Under incandescent light, it changes to a nice fuschia colour with tinge of green.
The gem is free from cracks and is beautiful. It even has some needles in the bottom of the gem, where if you use a strong pen light, it would show a cat's eye effect.
"Alexandrite is so rare that you can maybe buy only buy 1 gem piece in 2-3years."
Why is gem quality Alexandrite so rare and valuable?
1. The pioneering source (Ural Mountains, Russia) that made the alexandrite gem popular is said to be exhausted.
2. Known sources are Russia, Brazil, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Tanzania, India and Zimbabwe. 8 sources, when compared to at least 20 sources for diamond.
3. "Like many other gemstones, alexandrite emerged millions of years ago in a metamorphic environment. But unlike many others, its formation required specific geological conditions. The chemical elements beryllium (a major constituent in chrysoberyl) and chromium (the colouring agent in alexandrite) have contrasting chemical characteristics and do not as a rule occur together, usually being found in contrasting rock types. Not only has Nature brought these contrasting rock types into contact with each other, but a lack of the chemical element silica (the second most common element in the Earth's crust) is also required to prevent the growth of emerald. This geological scenario has occurred only rarely in the Earth's history and, as a result, alexandrite crystals are very scarce indeed." taken from www.gemstone.org
4. It is a relatively new gem, discovered in 1834 as compared to the first diamonds being found in India in 4th Century B.C. So the number of historical figures owning an alexandrite is much less, you could still make history!
5. The gem is relatively hard (8.5 on the Moh's hardness scale), shines almost like a sapphire (Alexandrite RI is 1.74-1.75, Sapphire is 1.76-1.77) You can read more about the MOH's hardness scale at https://geology.com/minerals/mohs-hardness-scale.shtml
6. Colour changes from green to red. Our favourite colours!
7. This gem exhibits the colour change effect and also cat's eye effect!
Here is a 1.64ct alexandrite diamond engagement ring designed by bespoke jewellery company The King's Bespoke https://www.tkbespoke.com
https://www.fareastgemsjewellery.com/collections/all-gemstones/products/0-25ct-alexandrite-india
We have 3-4mm round alexandrites gemstones in our collection that would be suitable for earrings or rings.