All You Need To Know About Alexandrite

This article offers the reader useful knowledge about alexandrite, a rare natural material.

Alexandrite is a member of the chrysoberyl family of gems and it is unique in as much as the stone changes colour depending on the light. Typically, the colours displayed are green-red-orange-yellow. Light refraction occurs in both natural and artificial light; the best quality Alexandrite has a bluey-green colour in daylight, changing to red-purple in artificial light.

The gemstone is also among great alternatives to diamonds for engagement rings. More and more couples are turning to hand-made solutions for the engagement ring. As such an important symbol of love should be truly a one-off, couples are considering something that’s less common, which explains the increasing interest in the alexandrite engagement rings Brisbane as well as other locations around the world produces.

How Is Alexandrite Formed?

There is a process called ‘pegmatitic’ when the Earth’s crust hits molten lava and the milder density material rises to the surface and as the magma cools, the water collects. The higher than normal water content enables the crystals to grow quickly and chromium must be present for Alexandria to form.

The Colour Change

The more dramatic the colour change, the higher the value of the gemstone. Different regions of the world produce Alexandrite with specific properties regarding colour. Stones that come from the Ural Mountains in Russia are typically green in the daylight, which turns to red by incandescent light, while Alexandrite from Brazil tends to exhibit more greenish yellow.

Chromium Ions

When chromium ions replace aluminium, this creates an environment where Alexandrite can occur, and it is this that accounts for the rarity of this colour-changing stone. There are other variables that need to be present in order for Alexandrite to occur and for the best examples of natural Alexandrite, talk to a custom jeweller who has access to wholesale gems, and they can acquire stones within your budget.

Major Producers Of Alexandrite

The Ural Mountains in Russia were, for a long time, thought to be the only place on Earth where Alexandrite can be found. Then the gemstone was found in Brazil, India and parts of Madagascar. Tanzania and Sri Lanka are other places where good quality Alexandrite can be found.

Weight

Alexandrite is rarely discovered more than 5 carats and the majority of larger stones come from the Ural Mountains. A 3-carat stone is considered rare and would fetch a high price. If you are in love with Alexandrite and would like a 1-2 carat stone set into an engagement ring, search online for custom jewellers who create stunning jewellery pieces for their clients. The jeweller can access top quality natural Alexandrite at trade prices, which saves you money and you get to design every aspect of the ring.

Custom Made Engagement Ring

What woman doesn’t want to get her own uniquely designed engagement ring? If you would like to view a top-quality gemstones such as alexandrite, you can see how these stones are cut and polished. The custom jeweller would be happy to share a Zoom call to discuss your needs and he can work to the client’s budget and create a stunning alexandrite engagement ring that you will treasure forever.

Alexandrite is one of the most popular gemstones, due to its unique ability to change colour and this makes for a perfect engagement ring.