Stunning in its ability to change colors, alexandrite is a one-of-a-kind gemstone. Its unique color-shifting ability—changing from green or blue in daylight to red or purple under incandescent light—has made this gemstone, which was found in the Ural Mountains of Russia in the 1830s, one of the most prized in the world. The following is an alphabetical listing of all the several kinds of Alexandrite, along with information on its discovery, colors, provenance, and mining.
Table: A-Z Types of Alexandrite
| Type | Mine/Location | Color Change |
| Russia | Ural Mountains | Green to Red |
| Brazil | Minas Gerais | Blue-Green to Red-Purple |
| Sri Lanka | Ratnapura | Green to Purplish Red |
| Madagascar | Mananjary | Green to Violet |
| Zimbabwe | Novello, Masvingo District | Dark Green to Brown-Red |
| Tanzania | Lake Manyara | Blue-Green to Purple |
| Myanmar (Burma) | Mogok Valley | Green to Red |
| India | Orissa and Andhra Pradesh | Green to Red-Violet |
| Australia | Dowerin | Green to Bluish Red |
| United States (New Mexico) | La Madera Mountain | Weak Green to Red Shift |
Description and Origins
Russia (Ural Mountains)
It was in Russia, in the early 1830s, when Alexandrite was first discovered and maybe most famously by humans. The dramatic transition from green to red is a hallmark of this variety named after Tsar Alexander II and represents the regal Russian hues. The historical importance and rarity of Russian Alexandrites make them very valuable. Although their output has drastically decreased over the years, stones from the Ural Mountains are still regarded as the best.
Brazil (Minas Gerais)
Alexandrite was mostly mined in Brazil in the nineteenth century. Minas Gerais’s Hematita mine is famous for its exquisite stones. Alexandrites from Brazil shift from a blue-green hue to a reddish-purple one. They fetch a premium price on the gemstone market because to its size and quality.
Sri Lanka (Ratnapura)
Alluvial deposits are the usual places to find alexandrites in Sri Lanka. Under varied lighting circumstances, their hue changes dramatically, going from green to a purplish-red. The clarity and unique color variety of Sri Lankan Alexandrites make them a popular choice for jewelry.
Madagascar (Mananjary)
In recent years, Madagascar has emerged as a significant Alexandrite supply. Stones from this area are famous for their remarkable color shift, which may go from green in natural light to violet when lit with a candle. The jewels’ discovery in Madagascar’s pegmatite deposits has raised the worldwide market availability of Alexandrite.
Zimbabwe (Novello, Masvingo District)
Discovered around the middle of the twentieth century, Alexandrites from Zimbabwe tend to be less translucent and deeper in color. Stone that contain phlogopite are the most common places to find them. Their color transition from dark green to brownish-red is still evident, even if they’re darker.
Tanzania (Lake Manyara)
Some of the biggest and most precious Alexandrites have been found in Tanzania recently. These stones are highly prized for their exceptional purity and dramatic color shift from blue-green to purple. Because of their exceptional size and purity, Tanzanian Alexandrites are often sold to collectors.
Myanmar (Mogok Valley)
The Mogok Stone Tract is well-known for its high-quality gemstones and is a common place to find Alexandrites in Myanmar. Burmese Alexandrites are highly sought after because to its vibrant colors and unusual, strong green to red color transition.
India (Orissa and Andhra Pradesh)
The southeasterly parts of the Indian states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh are where you may find Alexandrites. Their size is often smaller than other types, but they change colors strongly from green to reddish-violet.
Australia (Dowerin)
A kind of Alexandrite, first found in Western Australia in the 1930s, ranges in hue from a pale green to a bluish-red and is often smaller in size. Australian Alexandrite is still highly prized by collectors, despite its relative obscurity compared to other sources.
United States (New Mexico)
New Mexico has recently produced trace levels of Alexandrite. In these stones, the transition from green to red is subtler and less noticeable. Nevertheless, they are a fascinating addition to the world’s Alexandrite supply.
Why Alexandrite is Valuable
Alexandrite’s historical importance, color-changing capabilities, and scarcity all contribute to its worth. The most desirable Alexandrites are those that undergo a dramatic and noticeable color shift, particularly those mined in Russia or Brazil. This gemstone is very uncommon due to its intricate creation process and its relationship with monarchy. A few of the world’s most costly gemstones are those of the highest quality, which are transparent, big, and display a noticeable change in color.
FAQs
1. Why does Alexandrite change color? Alexandrite changes color due to trace amounts of chromium in its crystal structure. This element absorbs certain wavelengths of light, making the stone appear green in daylight and red under incandescent light.
2. Where is the best Alexandrite found? The Ural Mountains in Russia originally produced the finest Alexandrites, but Brazil and Sri Lanka are now major sources of high-quality stones.
3. Is Alexandrite more valuable than diamonds? Alexandrite can be more valuable than diamonds, especially when it exhibits a strong color change and high clarity. Its rarity also adds to its value.
4. How can I identify a real Alexandrite? Real Alexandrite can be identified by its unique color-changing ability. Additionally, gemological testing can distinguish natural Alexandrite from synthetic or imitated versions.
5. What is the significance of Alexandrite’s name? Alexandrite is named after Tsar Alexander II of Russia, in honor of his birthday. The stone was discovered in Russia, and its red and green colors matched the imperial Russian military colors.
References
- Geographic Origin Determination of Alexandrite, GIA (www.gia.edu)
- Alexandrite: Properties, Formation, Occurrence, Geology Science (www.geologyscience.com)
- Russian Alexandrite’s Origins & History, Rare Gem Collection (www.raregemcollection.com)
- History of Alexandrite Stone, The Alexandrite (www.thealexandrite.com)
