Alexandrite is one of the world’s most rare and precious gems. Few people have ever seen or experienced the amazing color change phenomenon of Alexandrite. That’s what makes it an excellent choice for your custom gemstone jewelry collection.
Alexandrite belongs to the chrysoberyl family of gems, which also includes cat’s eye chrysoberyl, a popular gem for men. In it’s most desirable state, Alexandrite changes from bluish-green when viewed in daylight to purplish-red when viewed in incandescent or candlelight. It was in the year of 1834 that Alexandrite was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia and was named after Czar Alexander II of Russia. Coincidentally, this new gem also mirrored the red and green colors of the Imperial Russian flag of the time. These spectacular gems with their vivid hues and amazing color change did not last for long, though they have stayed the quality standard for this gem.
Alexandrite emerged millions of years ago in a metamorphic environment that required very specific conditions. The two chemical components necessary for the formation of this gem, beryllium, and chromium, usually do not occur together as they are found in contrasting rock types. The last piece of the puzzle is that there cannot be any silica (the second most common element in the Earth’s crust) present or this combination would create emeralds. Given all of these factors, it is amazing that Alexandrite was ever formed.
With a hardness of 8.5, Alexandrite is a great centerpiece in the custom gemstone jewelry for both men and women. Alexandrite is a stone for experts, collectors, and connoisseurs. Its understated beauty and mysterious color change will fascinate and captivate you. According to stories of lore, Alexandrite is reputed to aid creativity and inspire the imagination. You only need to look at our newest design to believe.
