Rough specimens over five carats in weight are also scarce and most alexandrites found on the market are under one carat.
Prices for fine specimens above a single carat will rival or surpass fine quality rubies, emeralds and even diamonds, making them one of the most expensive and rare gemstones in the world. The most important factor for alexandrite is the quality of its colour change. The most prized colour change is a strong raspberry red in incandescent light and a bright green in daylight - however an absolutely perfect specimen is not known to exist! Alexandrite photographed in daylight.
Alexandrite photographed under incandescent light. The colours seen in alexandrite are caused by chromium — the same colouring element that causes the red of ruby and the green of emerald. The hues seen can also vary; if they stray too far from the expected colours of alexandrite or if the amount of colour change seen is minor, the value will be significantly affected and it is debatable as to whether it can be classified as an alexandrite at all. The colour change effect is due to alexandrite transmitting green and red light equally.
Incandescent and daylight light sources are richer in different wavelengths red or blue and green respectively and this has a direct effect on what colour the gemstone appears to the human eye.
Alexandrites are also noted for their strong pleochroism. This is an independent optical effect from colour change, in which the gem will appear different colours from different directions. In alexandrite the pleochroic colours are green, orange and purple-red. Brazil — A relatively new mining location for the rare gemstone, Brazil became an important new alexandrite source in the late s and early s. Tanzania — Gem miners in Tanzania find alexandrites, sapphires, and occasionally diamonds on the banks of the Muhuwesi River, near Tunduru.
Madagascar — Alexandrite rough mined in Madagascar often displays intense color and color change. Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka is home to a wide variety of colored stones, but alexandrite is one of the most desirable gems to be mined in this location. Russia is considered the most traditional source of the gemstone. The first alexandrites found in those deposits were of fine quality with intense hues and extreme color change. The gem was named for the young Alexander II, heir to the throne when the discovery was made.
The next factor I weigh when considering my purchase is the clarity of the gem at hand. It's extremely difficult to come across completely "eye-clean" gems although I have seen a few over the years. I do give a slight tolerance and expect to see slight internal quality characteristics within the gem I am considering.
Fingerprints, included crystals, negative crystals, liquid inclusions, needles and dense clouds of needle-like inclusions, known as "silk" are all characteristics I have become familiar with seeing within the gem over the years. So long as these things do not pose any durability issues, I am okay with them if the stone has strong color-change, hue and saturation. Alexandrites were originally found in the Ural Mountains in Russia back in and this set the standard for alexandrite quality.
Today, however, the historic Russian mines yield little to no gems and stones come from other continents. Sri Lanka is a major source however their colors tend to be less desirable as they appear to be yellowish compared to the bluish-green and brownish rather than purplish-red. Brazil is another major source, and this is the source from which we get all of the stones seen in Mark Henry's designs.
It is said that Brazilian stones are even more superior to the original Russian quality because of its colors. Other sources of alexandrite include India, Myanmar and Africa. When you get your alexandrite jewelry, make sure it is accompanied with certificate of authenticity and gem origin report. Alexandrite from Brazil generally tend to hold much better as a long term store of value. It is an 8. This makes it an ideal gemstone for mounting in jewelry that can be worn every day.
That is not to say you should be reckless and because of its value, it should be diligently cared for. To clean your alexandrite jewelry at home, use a soft brush and a solution of warm and gentle dish detergent. You can clean the gemstone thoroughly to remove any dirt or oils that can affect the gemstones brilliance. Gubelin Pricelist. Dunaigre is one of the only premier and well known gemologists relied upon by dealers in the gemstone trade.
His experience identifying gemstones dates back over 25 years. In Mr. Dunaigre set up an independent Swiss based gem lab company, which offers onsite gem testing service. He regularly travels internationally to provide direct in house gem identification services. His main offices being in Thailand and Switzerland, but commonly visiting New York to work with many of the global leaders of the gemstone trade. At all times, this concept of market desirability must be considered through a lens of an informed collector.
A round shape white diamond, 1. An oval shape Tanzanite gemstone, over 3 carats, with intense purple color, and no eye visible inclusions, has market desirability because of its exotic origin only found in Tanzania. However, while Tanzanites are sought after, there is an abundance of availability, moving it towards the bottom of the Rarity Pyramid. The Rarity Pyramid is our graphic guide to some of the most and least common gemstones based on their availability. We believe educated collectors will have to use their own judgment to determine which of the rare characteristics is the most important when deciding on beginning a collection.
Treatments will often include a notation paragraph on whether it is synthetic or lab created under the treatment heading of the report. The average person who may not know anything about gemstones will no doubt understand that a bigger gemstone is more valuable. While each gemstone varies, consideration must be given for differences between 2 to 3 carats. Two gemstones that share identical attributes of size, weight, shape and appearance can potentially have two completely different values based on what country they came from.
Part of the reason for the difference in value comes from the scarcity associated with certain territories. Today, many people might not realize that a family ring might come from an exotic country that is desired by collectors. One of the biggest differences between a gemstone and a diamond is the ability to trace where they come from. More often than not, particular origins will only be accepted by certain laboratories with the highest reputation for accuracy.
For what they lack in origin, diamonds have been useful in contributing to the understanding of clarity. The cutting of a gemstone dramatically effects how the gemstone appears. When a gemstone first makes its way from mine to market, a lot of emphasis is placed on maximizing the carat weight. The person who makes the initial investment in rough uncut gemstone material will always make more money when the stone weighs more. A stone that weighs more will fetch a higher per carat price.
As a result of this, some gemstones might have their beauty slightly compromised. Luster comes from well proportioned gem. Light is better able to reflect throughout the gemstone and appear brilliant. This might also happen because the cutter may look at a piece of rough and determine that the color is concentrated at at certain area of the stone.
In this scenario, cutting the gemstone proportionally might have an adverse effect of diluting or even worse, removing the color altogether. For example, a 5 carat stone with a very heavy bottom, may look like it is only 3 carats in size because the diameter is the same as well proportioned 3 carat stone with great cutting.
The opposite example of above, where a 2 carat stone is cut in a way that it looks like its 3 carats when mounted in jewelry. Again, bad cutting can cause the face of the stone to look much smaller than the actual weight it has. While most people dream of owning an Alexandrite, we wish to make that reality come true by offering a natural alexandrite every so often to our fans.
The internet is flooded with claims of rarity when it comes to gemstones and jewelry. Self supplied appraisals further create an illusion of value. An educated consumer should do as much research as possible when deciding what gemstone is right for them. Some being rare, and others quite common. Nevertheless, there will never be a definitive authority on what is the rarest gemstone.
We understand that the decision to acquire any colored gemstone should not be taken lightly. Memberships seriously, and believe in going beyond obligatory ethical disclosure. We believe in educating the consumer immediately as we ourselves garner exclusive gem trade related information. Our philosophy is fully informed-educated disclosure.
This is our commitment to go beyond FTC rules and guidelines for gemstone sellers. That is, giving you and explaining to you information in plain english. Besides giving you information, we emphasize gathering as much information as possible.
We pride ourselves on using independent third party labs of the highest reputation to provide objective gem data. Our experience over time has made us conclude that every single Alexandrite comes from a difficult hunt of its own.
We believe having an Alexandrite, is the ultimate way of owning rarity. When it comes to gemstones and jewelry, people wish to own something really unique and beautiful. While aesthetically pleasant, a truly rare gem comes from its internal characteristics of being irreplaceable.
A truly rare gem is found through a journey. A journey to exotic origins. Carat weight, color, shape, subtle imperfections and Origin create intimate fingerprints of identity that make certain gemstones worthy of collection. The reality is that very few gemstones rise to this level of being a collectible. While every Alexandrite with quality color change is in fact collection worthy.
We stand by a promise of rarity in its purest form. Our lifetime return policy guarantees that an identical alexandrite with the same weight, color, shape and origin will not be found elsewhere. Time and time again the notion of diamonds being rare has been displaced. There are exceptions to everything.
Red diamonds and blue diamonds are amongst the most highly sought collectors items in the world. Their scarcity is unmatched. Most recently, a Skip to content Alexandrite Guide Table of Contents. Alexandrite: The Rarest Gemstone?
What is an Alexandrite? Alexandrite Stone lab definitions :. The True History Of Alexandrites. The Whitney Alexandrite. Some of the finest Alexandrite Gemstones come from Brazil. Russia's Controversial Alexandrite History.
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