Anyone know about Alexandrites?

[mrsctobe]

HI all, I guess two questions. Are alexandrite shiny/sparkley (in my experience some gems like aquamarine are more dull), and who makes the best most vibrant/colorchanging lab alexandrite? (For example, I believe distinctive gem makes the most sparkley moissanite)

 

[Starstruck8]

I don't have an alexandrite, but I'll butt in anyway...

IMO, alexandrite is best seen as a collector's stone - fascinating, even magical, to people who are fascinated by such things, but not for everyone. (I have a colour change garnet, and it fascinates me!)

Be warned that you won't often see the full colour change. There aren't many incandescent lights these days, and in any case, the lighting is usually mixed. More often, you will see a murky in-between colour. If you are considering an alexandrite, you must check it in the sort of light you expect to wear it in.

Alexandrite is a variety of chrysoberyl (r.i. about 1.75) so it can be sparkly. But the point of alexandrite is the colour change, so that takes precedence over everything else in selection and cutting.

I have no experience with synthetics. Be aware that some lab 'alexandrite' really is alexandrite (i.e. chromium doped chrysoberyl) and some is vanadium doped corundum (i.e. a sort of lab colour change sapphire).

 

[RRfromR]

Romanov posts some and they seem $$$$

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[lovedogs]

The prices from Romanov Russia are outrageous. I'm always shocked that they get buisness

 

[RRfromR]

The prices from Romanov Russia are outrageous. I'm always shocked that they get buisness

@lovedogs , I have no idea because they are so outside my price range. But their things are so gorgeous. Any ideas for same quality lower prices?

 

[toomuchB]

who makes the best most vibrant/colorchanging lab alexandrite? (For example, I believe distinctive gem makes the most sparkley moissanite)

Some precision cutters who do precision cut alexandrite are Finewater gems and Precision Gem. It will still not sparkle the same as a diamond, because the mineral's refractive index is lower. Still best to discuss expectations with cutters who know the material in and out.

Based on the table here, https://www.gemsociety.org/article/table-refractive-index-double-refraction-gems/

Diamond

2.417-2.419

Chrysoberyl/Alexandrite

1.746-1.763

Aquamarine (beryl)

1.564-1.596

 

[toomuchB]

I responded assuming OP was looking for synthetic material.
If I misunderstood, Multicolour.com and Africagems/Pearlmans have some nice natural material, but not cheap, and definitely not precision cut in the manner Distinctive Gem moissanite is.

 

[T L]

HI all, I guess two questions. Are alexandrite shiny/sparkley (in my experience some gems like aquamarine are more dull), and who makes the best most vibrant/colorchanging lab alexandrite? (For example, I believe distinctive gem makes the most sparkley moissanite)

There are fine quality alexandrite, but 99% of what I’ve seen in person at gem shows and museums is lacking. I either witnesss a muddy looking unexceptional colored gem with poor color change, or color change from dark muddy olive to muddy brownish purple. Much of it is too dark toned as well, and then you have to be careful of some vendors qualifying color shifting golden chrysoberyl as alexandrite. Muddy brown to urine yellow is not alexandrite.

Unfortunately, spending a ton of $$$ on one does not guarantee a good stone. I’m not sure what labs produce the best synthetic material, but I heard Russian made synthetics are the finest. I’m not sure if that’s true.

I think you’re referring to high refractive index gems, when you compare aquamarine as being not as ”shiny” as others. Examples of higher RI gems are demantoid garnet, zircon, sphene, and diamond of course. Some mid RI gems with lots of sparkle are spinel, other garnets varieties like spessartite and grossular, and chrysoberyl (the mineral of alexandrite). Luster also helps. It’s just as much alexandrite doesn’t sparkle much due to very dark tone on many of them. They also tend to be cut poorly to save weight, and this impedes sparkle.

 

[T L]

Romanov posts some and they seem $$$$

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For $12k, I would rather have another gem with more bang for the buck, like a nicer larger well colored spinel or emerald. The setting is so plain and boring too, and it’s only a half carat. I bet most people wouldn’t even notice it on your hand.

 

[3Guapas]

So I have been in the market for an Alex for a long time. I purchased this stone and setting (being set now)

BESPOKE 0.57CT ALEXANDRITE RING

The Bespoke Alexandrite is a one-of-a-kind ring, designed & handmade just for you in a setting, metal and size of your choice. This rare, exceptional & natural 0.57ct Cushion Cut Alexandrite is a stunning deep bluish green in sunlight and shows brilliant color change to a reddish purple in...

www.starlingjewelry.com

I wanted a natural stone. I was interested in a strong color change which this small stone has. It is not sparkly like a diamond but I have diamonds so I have sparkly covered. I wanted something unique this is why I went for an alexandrite. I also realize that I maybe the only one to fully appreciate the color change, but it is my husband’s and my 3 daughter’s birthstone. I am not a collector but I like unique jewelry so this was my splurge for this year. .

 

[Voodoo Child]

Did someone say Alexandrite?

[Voodoo Child arrives, like a moth drawn to light]

Alexandrites are not very sparkly, and that’s not really what they’re about. The degree of color change is the most important property of Alexandrite, followed closely by the colors they exhibit in natural and incandescent light. I don’t have much experience with lab-grown Alexandrite, but from what I’ve seen online, they tend to go from bluish in natural light to purple in incandescent light.

 

[RRfromR]

Newbie question - why they are so $$$?

 

[Voodoo Child]

Newbie question - why they are so $$$?

Because they are very rare. Well, high-quality ones are rare. You have to have very specific geologic conditions for Alexandrite to form, and those conditions are only found in a few places around the globe.

 

[LilAlex]

Newbie question - why they are so $$$?

"That way madness lies."

For context, I have a petite Hematita alexandrite with a Gubelin report confirming "strong color change" -- and it is probably the least bang-for-the-buck gem/jewelry purchase I have ever made. (Fortunately, that was before prices went insane -- but not before they were high.)

Alexandrites are way more fascinating than they are beautiful, imo. I am not convinced that there are drop-dead gorgeous ones anywhere or that there ever have been. In the same way that there never really were rubies that could "light up a tent in darkness," etc. As @T L points out above and has posted photos of (and that I can corroborate from having seen them in person), even the Smithsonian -- which has world class every other gem -- has giant alexandites with underwhelming body color and color change.

See this thread for examples of how vendor photos can fool you. Sensors love the green/teal and struggle with the red/purple. Lots of photos of mine that may make you fall in love -- but you have to read the text to see where the images over (or under) -sell the gem.

What do folks think of this Alexandrite?

That is such a beautiful stone @LilAlex! I second everything you’ve already said. Alexandrite is such a pain in the ass to accurately photograph. There’s so many variables! I’ve taken a bazillion photos of my wife’s Alexandrite and rarely does the image match what my eyes see. when you get it...

www.pricescope.com

Chrysoberyl is a great ring stone in terms of hardness and brilliance. At this point, I think I would prefer a regular ol' chrysoberyl with a pretty hue over almost any alexandrite.

 

[T L]

There was one nice alexandrite at the Smithsonian, the others were muddy, but if you didn’t know what it was, the color would have not knocked your socks off. It was pretty, just not drop dead gorgeous. I think @LD has a beautiful three carat pear shaped stone, and the color change is fabulous, and a perfect tone, but those are probably rarer than hen’s teeth.

 

[toomuchB]

There was one nice alexandrite at the Smithsonian, the others were muddy, but if you didn’t know what it was, the color would have not knocked your socks off. It was pretty, just not drop dead gorgeous. I think @LD has a beautiful three carat pear shaped stone, and the color change is fabulous, and a perfect tone, but those are probably rarer than hen’s teeth.

Then how rare is one with all those qualities, but in a top quality, high transparency cats eye?

 

[T L]

Then how rare is one with all those qualities, but in a top quality, high transparency cats eye?

That’s a double phenomenon stone, which is already rare, so I would imagine exceedly rare to find a high quality catseye with top alexandrite color and color change. Cats eyes are typically translucent, not transparent, since they’re full of inclusions, like rutile for example, that cause the catseye phenomenon.

 

[landscape]

Alexandrite and alexandrite cat's eye from Tanzania, Sri Lanka and India

 

[Starstruck8]

Alexandrite and alexandrite cat's eye from Tanzania, Sri Lanka and India

Your collection never ceases to amaze.

 

[landscape]

Your collection never ceases to amaze.

Thanks

 

[LD]

Very late to the party as usual!!!!

As a collector of quits s few pieces Alexandrite(!) (3ct pear in my avatar is one) you will unfortunately pay lots for a great stone! However ….

What makes a great stone? Firstly you look for a very good (not muddy) colour change, so you’re looking for a lovely green that becomes a purple red. The better those two colours are the more money you’ll part with.

Next, size matters. If you can afford a 1ct stone or over they won’t lose money!

Clarity - although an eye clean stone would be the goal, sometimes inclusions can create fabulous colour changes.

Cut is of course important and if you find a well cut stone it will be lively in the same way a sapphire or ruby is. It won’t compare to a diamond but very few coloured gemstones will (although there are a few).

If your budget is $9000 I most definitely would NOT buy a synthetic. I’d reach out to David Weinberg at Multicolour.com and see what he has. He also had custom rings that you may like.