Large Russian Alexandrite

[smartwork]

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.

 

[the_mother_thing]

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]

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]

I've asked the forum admin to move this to the colored stone forum - thank you for you feedback.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

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]

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.

 

[smitcompton]

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]

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]

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]

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.

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

 

[T L]

Too clean, huge, and well cut to be a natural alexandrite IMO.

 

[Jadec]

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?

 

[voce]

Send it off to AGL; then you'll know for sure.

 

[chrono]

Gut feel isn't good.

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

 

[Anne111]

Too many pics and too good to be true. 99% no way.

 

[Arkteia]

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.