There's no such thing as a free lunch and there's no such thing as a Russian 20 carat alexandrite for $20...but what are these stones these ebay sellers are attempting to sell?
Example:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Loose-Gems...ing-Oval-Cut-IGL-Certified-B4191/292770278257
From my initial research into alexandrite and its simulants/synthetics/things to be aware of it was suggested the vanadium laced corundum should be confined to purplish->pink colour changes rather than the green show in the ad above - something like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-Qualit...stone-Color-Changing-Alexandrite/292672549882
My info comes from the alexandrite.net page:
http://www.alexandrite.net/chapters/chapter7/index.html
and from reading a couple of forums both gemological and geological
Instead, to me, the green/pink "alexandrite" resembles the flux grown synthetic photo on the .net site - but its price and size would suggest that this *must* be a cheap corundum instead.
Just hoping some wiser gem lovers would be able to provide their insight into this.
...final thought - could the green/pink "gems" be some kind of glass? Neodynmium laced perhaps?
Example:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Loose-Gems...ing-Oval-Cut-IGL-Certified-B4191/292770278257
From my initial research into alexandrite and its simulants/synthetics/things to be aware of it was suggested the vanadium laced corundum should be confined to purplish->pink colour changes rather than the green show in the ad above - something like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-Qualit...stone-Color-Changing-Alexandrite/292672549882
My info comes from the alexandrite.net page:
http://www.alexandrite.net/chapters/chapter7/index.html
and from reading a couple of forums both gemological and geological
Instead, to me, the green/pink "alexandrite" resembles the flux grown synthetic photo on the .net site - but its price and size would suggest that this *must* be a cheap corundum instead.
Just hoping some wiser gem lovers would be able to provide their insight into this.
...final thought - could the green/pink "gems" be some kind of glass? Neodynmium laced perhaps?