All about Alexandrite!

•What is alexandrite?
Alexandrite is a rare and unique form of the mineral chrysoberyl that was reportedly discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountains in 1830 on Czar Alexander II’s twelfth birthday and named in his honor. The finest natural alexandrite exhibits a dramatic color change, from vivid green in natural sunlight, to a deep purplish-red under incandescent lights (artificial light). (The color change is a function of the alexandrite crystals refracting the different types of light into distinctly different body colors.) Alexandrite is the genuine birthstone for June and is the commemorative gemstone for the 55th wedding anniversary.

•Where is alexandrite found?
Most alexandrite is found where it was discovered, in the Ural Mountains of Russia, although there also deposits in Brazil and Sri Lanka.

•Color
Alexandrite appears green in natural light and red in artificial light, and the stone occurs in a wide range of intensity of each color, from pale, grayish green to deep forest green; to a brownish lavender to deep purple-red.

•Shape
Alexandrite can be cut into all the faceted gemstone shapes: round brilliant, oval, pear, cushion, marquise, heart, square, trillion, fantasy, and emerald. Alexandrite is rarely cut into cabochons (a highly polished, unfaceted shape) because of the beauty and brilliance revealed when the gem is cut into the faceted shapes.

•Durability
Alexandrite is an extremely tough gemstone and bears up well for setting, polishing, boiling, steaming, and in an ultrasonic cleaner. It has a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs Scale and is quite durable, making it ideal for use in all manner of jewelry, although its expensive price ultimately limits its widespread use, especially in the larger stones (two carats or over), which are extremely rare.

•Quality
The highest quality alexandrites exhibit strong color change and have no inclusions (flaws) visible to the unaided eye. These are very rare stones. Qualities of alexandrite then range from good to moderate color change with minor inclusions, to light color change with moderate to significant inclusions.

•Legend and lore
Alexandrite is considered to be the gemstone of children born on Friday. It is reputed to bring good luck to the wearer, and can also bring out the more refined and elegant characteristics and attributes of the wearer. If alexandrite is worn on the left hand, it can protect you from enemies. When alexandrite is worn on the chest, it supposedly causes the wearer to be emotionally inhibited, so that alexandrite pendant may not be a good choice for your next date.

•Care
Alexandrite can be cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaning machine (even at boiling temperatures) with standard ammonia-based jewelry cleaner. As with all gemstones, however, avoid drastic temperature changes. Even though it can be boiled, an alexandrite will crack if removed from a boiling solution and immediately placed in cold water. Alexandrite is hard, but so are diamonds, and, as we know, diamonds can chip if struck hard enough and at the right (wrong) spot. And thus, so can alexandrite, so be careful not to bang it against a hard surface.