Discover the Rare and Colorful World of Alexandrite Gemstones
Alexandrite is a rare and highly sought-after gemstone that exhibits color change properties. It was first discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountains in the 1830s and was named after Alexander II, who was the Russian Tsar at the time. Alexandrite is a unique gemstone because it appears to be green under natural daylight but changes to a reddish-purple hue when viewed under incandescent light.
The value of an Alexandrite depends on various factors such as its size, clarity, cut, and most importantly, its color-change properties. The degree of color change exhibited by an Alexandrite depends on the amount of chromium present in the crystal structure. The more chromium there is in the stone, the greater the color change will be.
Alexandrites are graded based on their overall quality using three criteria: color, clarity, and cut. These grading systems help determine how valuable each piece is based on its unique characteristics.
Color grading for Alexandrites involves evaluating both their primary body colors (green or blue-green) as well as their secondary hues (red or purple). Ideally, an excellent-quality Alexandrite should exhibit a vivid green or blue-green hue with strong red or purple tints when viewed under incandescent light.
Clarity grading refers to any visible blemishes within the stone itself such as cracks or other flaws that affect its transparency and brilliance. An ideal Alexadnrite should have little-to-no visible flaws when examined by experts using specialized equipment like microscopes or magnifying glasses.
Lastly comes Cut grade – which looks at how precisely-cut each facet is. Expertly-cut stones will produce sharper edges and enhance color-changing properties while poorly-cut gems can cause dullness instead of brightness which affects their value negatively.
It’s worth noting that since Alexandrites are relatively scarce compared to other gemstones available in today’s market; they tend to demand higher prices than most common precious stones like diamonds or rubies. However, the Alexandrite’s rarity also makes it a valuable asset for those looking to invest in jewelry with unique characteristics.
In conclusion, Alexandrites are attractive gemstones that exhibit natural color-changing properties based on lighting conditions. They are graded based on their overall quality using three criteria: color, clarity, and cut. As such, investing in high-quality Alexandrites can be a great way to add value to your jewelry collection while also enjoying the beauty of this remarkable stone.