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Large Russian Alexandrite

smartwork

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 26, 2015
Messages
2
This ring was given to my mom around 1947 in Switzerland and passed down to me and I have no idea of the value - looking for thoughts on how to value and potentially sell or hold if this forum can provide advice. It is a stunning ring and stays in a lock box at the bank as I am quite rough with my hands (and this would compete with my beloved wedding ring) - is keeping the Alexandrite in the dark harmful or beneficial to the stone? I am not a jeweler and hoping for honest responses from this forum. img_1751_0.jpgimg_1753_0.jpg
 

the_mother_thing

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Mar 2, 2013
Messages
6,292
You might get more input if you ask the Admin to move this to the colored stone forum. Hit the "report" button and select the option in the menu.
 

Rockinruby

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Dec 27, 2013
Messages
2,740
JoCoJenn|1443308011|3932207 said:
You might get more input if you ask the Admin to move this to the colored stone forum. Hit the "report" button and select the option in the menu.

+ 1
 

smartwork

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 26, 2015
Messages
2
I've asked the forum admin to move this to the colored stone forum - thank you for you feedback.
 

diamondseeker2006

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
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Jan 11, 2006
Messages
58,342
Alexandrites are VERY valuable, obviously depending on quality. You need an appraisal by an independent appraiser who is familiar with colored stones. I have recently used Neil Beatty for a diamond, but you could ask him if he has expertise alexandrite or perhaps he can recommend someone. Please let us know how this turns out!
 

ennui

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Feb 28, 2014
Messages
995
From the photos, it looks a lot like my grandmother's amethyst.

Get an appraisal, certify that it is an alexandrite.

I've only been in this forum for a few months, and I'm surprised at all the "alexandrite" people have inherited. :nono:
 

smitcompton

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Feb 11, 2006
Messages
3,030
Hi,

Alexandrite is a very expensive stone. I think the color change on your ring is a bit too perfect. They do have synthetic alex and I suspect that this what you have. I would send it to AGL lab for analysis. I would not take it to an appraiser at this point. If it real(genuine) alex, it would be worth a lot of money; so, first find out if it is real, then go to an appraiser for value.

Lovely looking ring, though.

Annette
 

Niel

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 23, 2012
Messages
19,631
First I'd take it to someone to determine if it is chrysoberyl or corundum. A jeweler should be able to do that. If its corundum no reason to pay for a cert
 

jstarfireb

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Mar 24, 2007
Messages
6,232
Looks too good to be true. It's probably a synthetic color change stone (corundum or perhaps actual alexandrite, but not natural). A natural Russian alexandrite of this size, cut, and clarity would be worth hundreds of thousands or maybe even millions of dollars.

Read LD's thread here for more info:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/have-you-really-got-an-alexandrite-read-this-first.179784/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/have-you-really-got-an-alexandrite-read-this-first.179784/[/URL]
 

GliderPoss

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 25, 2008
Messages
2,866
ennui|1443329004|3932305 said:
From the photos, it looks a lot like my grandmother's amethyst.

Get an appraisal, certify that it is an alexandrite.

I've only been in this forum for a few months, and I'm surprised at all the "alexandrite" people have inherited. :nono:


This exactly. First determine IF it's genuine then you can go from there....
 

Jadec

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jul 13, 2019
Messages
2
Looks too good to be true. It's probably a synthetic color change stone (corundum or perhaps actual alexandrite, but not natural). A natural Russian alexandrite of this size, cut, and clarity would be worth hundreds of thousands or maybe even millions of dollars.

Read LD's thread here for more info:
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ly-got-an-alexandrite-read-this-first.179784/

Mine get those colors as well. I am no expert by any means but I think from what I have seen the russian alexandrite has bolder changes. Mine goes from teal at dusk to bright blue in florescent to magenta morning sun to the amethyst purple when i take photos and my favorite the most gorgeous red in candlelight or old.time.incandescent. I cant ever capture a photo of the teal however it always comes out amethyst. Any suggestions?

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voce

Ideal_Rock
Joined
May 13, 2018
Messages
4,995
Send it off to AGL; then you'll know for sure.
 

chrono

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Apr 22, 2004
Messages
38,227
Gut feel isn't good.

Too huge, too clean, colouration too perfect, and 100% complete change is suspect.
 

Anne111

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Nov 30, 2017
Messages
381
Too many pics and too good to be true. 99% no way.
 

Arkteia

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Nov 3, 2009
Messages
7,589
Russian alexandrites were not that common and mostly belonged to nobility. They were mined out rather fast. The majority of “Russian alexandrites” after 1905 are likely synthetic corundum.

I have one Russian synthetic corundum belonging to my great-grandma. Also, a set that my dad brought to us from Laos in the 1970es - either synthetic corundum or synthetic spinel. The color change is not dissimilar to yours.

I also have a natural Brazilian alexandrite, and I saw Russian alexandrites in museums. If one really plays with the light, they may look raspberry, but in normal electric light, they perform similar to Brazilian stones, but are more included. The color is somewhat purplish. Usually it is not just red in incandescent light and green in daylight, you see both components mixed. I shall try to find an art object made of them to show how they look in modern light.
 
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