Great grandfathers stone is glowing pink

[SapphireSam]

Hi all, I have a stone that was my great grandfathers, my mother had it turned into a ring and last night I noticed it glowing redish pink under a black light! In the picture it is hard to get the flourescence, but it is a bright pink/red and is not see through, the stone is transparent in normal light. I think this might be a synthetic stone, probably 75 years old. Does anyone have any insight into what this stone might be? Or any advice on what I should ask a jeweler to check? Thank you so much for any help!

 

[dk168]

I am no expert, however, Alexandrite would be my guess, lovely stone and setting by the way, thanks for sharing.

DK

 

[SapphireSam]

I am no expert, however, Alexandrite would be my guess, lovely stone and setting by the way, thanks for sharing.

DK

My mom put it in that setting, I will pass along the compliment I am so glad cocktail rings made such a comeback, I love wearing big stones!

 

[Acinom]

It's a beautiful ring. And what a special phenomenon

 

[tourma-guy]

Synthetic spinel will fluoresce bright pink/red under UV light. Not sure if alexandrite (synthetic or natural) will fluoresce.

 

[Marlow]

Alexandrite has a strong fluorescence ( red ).

But difficult to say what this stone is....

Can you decribe the color in daylight and incandescent light ( a warm light - torch or the good old bulbs - not LED!!)?

 

[SapphireSam]

Synthetic spinel will fluoresce bright pink/red under UV light. Not sure if alexandrite (synthetic or natural) will fluoresce.

I think you might be right! My mom thought she remembered my great grandma saying it was a synthetic stone, but she couldn't remember what type. I looked up images of vintage synthetic spinel and saw quite a few stones with the same color, transparency, and wear around the edges like mine has. Thank you I think you helped me solve the mystery!

 

[SapphireSam]

Alexandrite has a strong fluorescence ( red ).

But difficult to say what this stone is....

Can you decribe the color in daylight and incandescent light ( a warm light - torch or the good old bulbs - not LED!!)?

In strong light it is pretty transparent, it turns a weak blue-green. In softer light it turns a darker, richer blue-green. Sometimes it is more blue, sometimes it is more green, but never pink or purple. I wish it was an alexandrite, but my mom is pretty sure it is a synthetic of some sort. It's a fun ring to wear, I love looking down and seeing a slightly different color each time.

 

[minousbijoux]

SSam: LOVE your avatar! Who, pray tell, is that cutie?