Alexandrite
Green in sunlight. Red in lamplight. Color-changing alexandrite is nature’s magic trick.
Buyer's Guide
Colored stone professionals assess fine alexandrites by the extent of the color change they display and by the quality of the red and green hues they show under different lighting conditions.
FIND A JEWELER
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FIND A REPORT
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What To Look For
Color change is the most important quality factor for alexandrite
The most-prized alexandrites show a strong color change from bluish green in daylight and red to purplish red in incandescent light, with moderately strong to strong color saturation.
Clarity is also important—most fine gems are eye clean
The most-prized alexandrites show a strong color change from bluish green in daylight and red to purplish red in incandescent light, with moderately strong to strong color saturation.
CUT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN APPEARANCE
Alexandrites are most often fashioned as mixed cuts, which have brilliant-cut crowns and step-cut pavilions. Alexandrite’s pleochroism makes it a challenge for cutters. When fashioning alexandrite, cutters orient the gem to show the strongest color change through the crown.
CARAT WEIGHT ALLOWS FOR PRECISE MEASUREMENTS
Most fashioned alexandrites are small, weighing less than one carat. Larger sizes and better qualities rise in price dramatically: Fine-quality stones in sizes above 5.0 carats are very expensive.
ALEXANDRITE QUALITY FACTORS: THE COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Tips & Advice
1. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Natural alexandrite is rare and valuable. An inexpensive gem with a strong red-green color change is likely to be a synthetic or simulant.
2. Work with a jeweler you trust.
Judging the quality of alexandrite requires expertise. Look for gemological credentials. A jeweler who knows and loves alexandrite will welcome the challenge to find one that’s right for you.
3. When in doubt, get a lab report.
For a significant purchase an independent laboratory report can confirm that the alexandrite you are buying is natural.
4. Don’t expect to be able to match alexandrites easily.
Creating pairs or suites of alexandrite for earrings, a three stone ring, or a necklace is very challenging. Matching size, shape, color, and color change is particularly difficult.
Questions & Answers
- Q
GIA 是否为亚历山大变石分级？
AGIA 不为亚历山大变石分级。GIA 宝石鉴定证书对已镶嵌或未镶嵌亚历山大变石的特征（重量、尺寸、形状、切磨式样和颜色）进行评估，判断它是天然宝石还是合成品，说明任何可检测到的处理方式，如有可能，注明其原产地。
- Q
GIA 是否在证书上标明亚历山大变石来自俄罗斯？
AGIA 亚历山大变石原产地证书提供原产地说明（如有可能）。
- Q
什么是“人造”亚历山大变石？
A营销实验室制造亚历山大变石时，通常会加上公司名称，选词会采用“制造”，而不选择“合成”。在 Federal Trade Commission Jewelry Guides（《联邦贸易委员会珠宝指南》）中，“实验室制造”、“实验室人造”或“[制造商名称]-制造”均可用于描述人造材料。
- Q
什么是“亚历山大变色蓝宝石”？
A一般来说，这是指制造时加入微量元素，使之呈现与天然亚历山大变石相似的颜色变化效应的合成蓝宝石。 天然蓝宝石也可呈现颜色变化效应，但通常较不明显。
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Caring for Your Alexandrite
Keep your alexandrite beautiful by following simple care and cleaning guidelines.
DURABILITY
CARE AND CLEANING
