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Alexandrite craze

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Silevie

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 26, 2013
Messages
17
Hello! Lately I have been obsessed with colour changing gems. Chanced upon this GIA certified piece online from a rather well-known online seller. The real piece is pretty much like the photos though I am not sure if I like the diamond halo. I prefer something less dressy. What do you think of it? Is it a strong color change? Is usd7800 a good buy? Thank you

_5420.jpeg

_5421.jpeg
 
You've seen the ring in person?
Is the $7800 price for both the stone and the setting?
What is the metal and total ct weight of the diamonds?
How complete and pure is the colour change, including under mixed light conditions?
 
Chrono|1471969300|4069046 said:
You've seen the ring in person?
Is the $7800 price for both the stone and the setting?
What is the metal and total ct weight of the diamonds?
How complete and pure is the colour change, including under mixed light conditions?
Click to expand...

Hello Chrono, yes, I just saw it earlier in the day.

Under the outdoor sunlight it is exactly like the photo, but it seems to be a little more blue in indoor white light, grass green in outdoor sunlight. Under the yellow indoor lighting, it completely changes to purple, at times with red flashes (since it's not stated red on the Gia report, the red flashes might be the reflection) I am amazed I should say. I took a look at it under a loupe, it seems crystal clear, is that normal?

The price is for both the 18k white gold ring and gem. It's stated 1.30 carats total, I would think that that will make it .50 carats of diamonds. Is that a fair price? Although it comes with Gia report there's no laser inscription on the gem. Is that the usual case? I will be engaging a known, independent gemologist to confirm before purchase.
 
Chrono|1471971740|4069063 said:
Red flashes with a purple base is perfectly normal. It looks to have good transparency in the photographs so being loupe clean is fine. I am glad that you'll be having an independent GG review it before confirming purchase.

Comps on pricing
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?-1391523513
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?407156034
Click to expand...

Thank you Chrono, yes I've browsed through online vendors like Multicolor. However, this is a pricey purchase for me, hence I would prefer to be able to see the real gem before making a decision. The issue now is that this local
Singapore jeweler seems to be the only one who has alexandrites in stock. I am unable to make any other comparison. May I know what would you suggest? It's around 10mm lengthwise, appears big I should say with the halo now. Do you think it will look good without a halo? Thank you for your assistance.
 
It is difficult for me to read the details of the report, but draw out the dimensions L x W to scale on a piece of paper, cut it out and wear it on your finger to get a true scale on your hand. :bigsmile:
 
Chrono|1471972959|4069072 said:
It is difficult for me to read the details of the report, but draw out the dimensions L x W to scale on a piece of paper, cut it out and wear it on your finger to get a true scale on your hand. :bigsmile:
Click to expand...

That's a good idea thank you!
 
So if I am understanding correctly, it is $7800 for a .8ish ct alex plus a mounting that you are not wild about? As I'm sure you know, when seeking an alex, you want a strong color change (one which has at least 85% or better color change) and color ways which are both vivid (meaning pure color, not brownish or greyish) and not too dark in tone. In the photo, the green/teal colorway looks superb, the purple/red side does not, but you've seen it in person to know for sure.

I have not checked alex prices on Multicolour for a few months, but assuming you do not love the setting, you are really paying $7800 to get the alex, one which is good quality - not the best quality - and a neat but challenging shape for setting. I personally would pass, but I am quite picky!
 
Hello there! The seller specializes in customized rings and will be able to create one to my liking, without the halo, at the same price of 7800. I do like both the colors very much, for they are very pure like you said and it changes completely. It kinda makes me feel like I am buying two gems at the price of one:) quite unlike the ones I saw online, which are either not even green/ purple. I think I am unsure if to just settle for this very first I've seen.

Are there any other source of quality alexandrite in Singapore that maybe someone can recommend? Or do you happened to see one of this complete color change online so that I can have a reference point. The heart from multicolor is sweet, but it isn't even greens to start with I would like a grassgreen that changes completely. Thanks much
 
Bangkok based gem merchant, but look at his inventory to guage size, colour change and value as a guide.
http://www.ajsgem.com/alexandrite-gemstone-chrysoberyl-2046340425.html

If it is just colour change you are after and not Alexandrite specifically maybe consider colour change Garnet.
You will get a larger stone with a more vibrant change and range of colours for less money. Check his list also, but others will have them.
http://www.ajsgem.com/color-change-garnet-gemstone-garnet-2046340402.html
 
Thanks for the heads up!
 
Hello there, here's the video clip of this alexandrite. Do let me know your thoughts of it. I will probably not redo its setting. https://instagram.com/p/BJDPfiNgGXC/ I've reserved it:)
 
I'm not sure if I'm too late to contribute but here's my two pennies worth!

You very rarely see an Alex in a marquise shape and to have one that is (presumably) clean to the eye is desirable. The colourways look good and in the video you can see that it reacts as a natural Alex should.

My hesitation however is the price and also the point that you want to re-set. Alex under 1ct doesn't command premium prices and $7k for a sub-carat Alex is really high. The marquise is very long for the carat weight at 18mm and from the GIA measurements it's under 3mm in depth? If so, that's very shallow and may give you setting issues if you were to re-set. Have you seen the back of the ring? Is the gemstone totally enclosed at the back?

I think I'd like to see the stone out of the setting before sealing the deal because I'd want to see how it would react in other settings and to judge the cut a little better.

At the end of the day, I'm an Alex lover so I'm probably the worst person to ask if you should buy or not! :)

EDIT: BTW, the stones from Multicolour linked to above are beautiful stones and if David says they have a strong colour change, they're priced accordingly and will be excellent stones. The Emerald cut stone is above 1ct so the price is pushed up because it's a beautiful stone, has great clarity, cut and has carat weight on it's side. The heart is a great stone too and again, an unusual cut for an Alex. Unfortunately, I wouldn't say either would provide comparators for cost for you.
 
I think that before wondering if the price is appropriate, we should establish if the price was quoted in US Dollars or Singapore Dollars, 1 USD=1.36 Singapore Dollars. If the price quoted is in Singapore dollars it changes the conversation.
 
Thank you for the pointers! It is quoted in usd. I took another good look at it today. I've decided to pass it, as 10mm is too small to sit alone without a halo... I am not into blings and the large size diamonds is a little too much for me. Frankly, I am in love with its green and purple colors much more so than the blue from multicolor. I always thought that alexandrite should be green to reddish purple instead of blue. Okay I back to the quest again. I am enjoying the process to see so many rare gems on the way! It seriously is addictive.
 
I have some questions. I am a avid jade collecter when I was in Hongkong. Now I am in Singapore with my husband and I've just had a recent crush on alexandrite. After seeing the array of gems I think I am tempted to go more into colorgems!

Just a few questions regarding Singapore jeweller and lab. Is nanyang Gemological institute a reliable lab in Singapore? Are there any feedback from Sheila customize jewelry? I've chanced upon them from google in my search for alexandrite. They are not under the jeweller list here. Are there any other recommended Jewellers from Singapore who deal with natural gems and jewelleries? Do fill me in !

Can I seek help here to recommend me some good Gia alexandrite within usd7000? Due to the limited selection, I am open to online purchase. Though I find it a little intimidating..
 
Multicoulor has GIA certificates accompanying their alex stones. From reading the thread it seems like you might prefer a green color vs blue in terms of color change. I found the following ones at 7K or less (except for the heart, which has a strong color change so is priced higher).

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax787ab/&930512007
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax751aa/&930512007
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax791aa/&930512007

Also, are you looking for a stone to put in a ring setting? If so, David Wein (owner of multicoulor I think), has his own website with alexandrite rings and other jewelry. Here's the link for the page with all the alex jewelry: http://www.davidwein.com/jewelry/list/926/103/0

Obviously dunno what your budget would be for a setting, but just wanted to throw this out as an option.
 
Silevie|1472307479|4070550 said:
Thank you for the pointers! It is quoted in usd. I took another good look at it today. I've decided to pass it, as 10mm is too small to sit alone without a halo... I am not into blings and the large size diamonds is a little too much for me. Frankly, I am in love with its green and purple colors much more so than the blue from multicolor. I always thought that alexandrite should be green to reddish purple instead of blue. Okay I back to the quest again. I am enjoying the process to see so many rare gems on the way! It seriously is addictive.
Click to expand...

If an Alex is blue, it's not an Alex! The Alex from Brazil is famed for having green with blue flashes but it's not blue. The greens from Tanzania and India are very green so it depends on locale. If you saw a Brazilian stone in person I don't think you'd look at it and say it was blue.

I thought the stone you were looking at was 18mm (I must have misread the GIA report) - but how about turning it sideways. If you did that, you could lose the halo and still have a nice looking ring. OR have you thought about getting two round diamonds and sitting them either side of the marquise? I know you said you're not into bling but I don't think would be too blingy.
 
How about this sort of idea - no diamonds but would angle across the finger so would give a nice coverage.

marquise_ring.jpg
 
Or this (but I suspect it would be too wide for your tastes)?

marquise_ring1.jpg
 
DDOC|1472000760|4069272 said:
Bangkok based gem merchant, but look at his inventory to guage size, colour change and value as a guide.
http://www.ajsgem.com/alexandrite-gemstone-chrysoberyl-2046340425.html

If it is just colour change you are after and not Alexandrite specifically maybe consider colour change Garnet.
You will get a larger stone with a more vibrant change and range of colours for less money. Check his list also, but others will have them.
http://www.ajsgem.com/color-change-garnet-gemstone-garnet-2046340402.html
Click to expand...

Thank you! I would much prefer the vibrant colors of the garnet! However, they are priced close to alexandrite? I thought garnet belongs to the more affordable range of gems?
 
lovedogs|1472325744|4070627 said:
Multicoulor has GIA certificates accompanying their alex stones. From reading the thread it seems like you might prefer a green color vs blue in terms of color change. I found the following ones at 7K or less (except for the heart, which has a strong color change so is priced higher).

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax787ab/&930512007
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax751aa/&930512007
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax791aa/&930512007

Also, are you looking for a stone to put in a ring setting? If so, David Wein (owner of multicoulor I think), has his own website with alexandrite rings and other jewelry. Here's the link for the page with all the alex jewelry: http://www.davidwein.com/jewelry/list/926/103/0

Obviously dunno what your budget would be for a setting, but just wanted to throw this out as an option.
Click to expand...


Thank you! Davidwein has quite a selection! But they to all too blingy you for me.. I do like the color change for the third multicolor. It's slightly more than a carat. But upon reading the details the size seems even smaller than the Marquise from Singapore. It will be a little too small to stand alone..
 
Thank you LD! Those are nice examples. I have something similar in mind too. Hopefully a right sized, gorgeous color Alexandrite comes along soon..here's what I like.

_5491.jpeg
 
For size and vibancy of colour change the Garnest are much cheaper than Alexandrite, that doesn't mean they are cheap.
If you look at the 4 to 5 ct Garnets with strong bright colour change and compare it to Alexandrite it is probably only a quarter of the price.

You are unlikely to find a 1.20 ct Alexandrite with good colour for $500. This Garnet is.
http://www.ajsgem.com/garnet/color-change-garnet/color-change-garnet-1.23-carats.html
 
In regards to setting a Marquise across the finger you could do something like this.
Still a little bling, but understated.
As a size reference this was a 6.8 mm long stone for a pinky ring.

imgp2508.jpg

imgp2510.jpg
 
DDOC|1472359731|4070798 said:
In regards to setting a Marquise across the finger you could do something like this.
Still a little bling, but understated.
As a size reference this was a 6.8 mm long stone for a pinky ring.
Click to expand...

Thank you DDOC! This pinky ring looks much like this other setting I am considering!

http://www.sheilacustomizejewelry.com/2012/09/certified-untreated-alexandrite-18k.html?m=0

Did a fair bit of reading up here http://www.alexandrite.net/gemstones/index.html
 
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