925 Sterling Silver in rose gold plated jewelry facotry Custom Design necklace
A gem in the chrysoberyl family.
Changes color from Green to Red.
A durable gem.
Alexandrite is a gemstone in the family group “chrysoberyl” that changes color in different lighting. When outside in daylight, an Alexandrite stone is a green or greenish-Blue. But inside, under warm lightbulbs or by candlelight, it is a purplish-Red. This leads some to refer to it as an “emerald by day, ruby by night.”
comparison of color change stone
Emerald-green Alexandrite compared to Ruby-red Alexandrite. (Photo by:عائلة)
This unique and mysterious color change is one reason couples search for an Alexandrite engagement ring. Another is that it is quite a hard gem at 8.5/10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale (diamond is a 10)! بعبارة أخرى, “Alex” stands up to everyday wear.
What is the best color for an Alexandrite engagement ring?
Green or blueish-Green to Red or purplish-Red are the best.
Lab stones are a little more blue and a little more purple.
Imitation stones don’t change color or change to the wrong color.
Like all colored gemstones, the most important factor is color. In color-change gems, this also means how completely the stone changes from one color to another!
NATURAL ALEXANDRITE ENGAGEMENT RINGS
A top quality natural Alexandrite will change fully from Green to Red under different light sources. There will be no hints of green in the red, no hints of red in the green. The gem will appear to magically, fully transform simply by turning on a light. Natural stones with this full color change are exceedingly rare and sought after. Couples should be aware that lower quality natural gems look more like a water color painting, with some purple spilling over into the green, and vice versa.
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LAB CREATED ALEXANDRITE ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Lab-created Alexandrite has the same hardness, color change, and chemical composition as its natural namesake. In terms of color, a Lab stone’s green hue tends to lean more blueish than the Natural version. Its red hue also tends to lean more purplish. True Lab-created stones (as compared with simulants, see more below) have full, spectacular color change.
comparison of lab created color change gemstone
Lab Created Alexandrite in Fluorescent lighting (left) and incandescent lighting (يمين).
SIMULATED ALEXANDRITE
There are a ton of “simulants” out there. What we mean by a “simulant” is a gem that people call Alex, but it is NOT an Alexandrite stone. Natural or Lab. This is important because simulants either don’t change color or change to the wrong color. Some are even the wrong color to begin with. Most simulated stones are also not nearly as durable. Due to Alex’s mystical lure, simulants have been made since the 1800’s! لذا, when looking for an Alexandrite engagement ring, know that just because it’s antique, doesn’t mean it’s real. Always buy from a source that has actually tested and examined the stone.
alexandrite engagement ring simulant in yellow gold
A ring with a simulated round Alexandrite stone.
Is Alexandrite rare?
Yes! Natural gems are exceedingly rare. More rare than diamonds, actually. This is because the elements needed to form it do not regularly occur together here on Earth. نتيجة ل, there are only a few Natural Alexandrite deposits in the whole world! This also means that there is a real probability that these deposits will be exhausted at some point. Russian gems have already been exhausted. بعبارة أخرى, there will likely come a time when this gem is not mined anymore. As you would assume, that makes gem quality stones intensely rare. في الحقيقة, many jewelers have never even seen a Natural Alex. This spectacular rarity makes an Alexandrite engagement ring a truly once-in-a-lifetime gift indeed.
Is an Alexandrite engagement ring expensive?
There’s always a way of getting what you want at a price you can afford! Couples can include the color-change stone in their engagement ring in several ways. Because of its scarcity, gem quality Natural Alex commands high prices. لذا, many couples opt for a smaller Natural center stone or include small Natural side stones in order to make Alexandrite affordable. Another great option is Lab Alexandrite, أيّ, due to being made by man, is much more reasonable.
PRICE DIFFERENCE: NATURAL V. LAB ALEXANDRITE
Carat Weight AAA Natural Alex Lab Alex
.10-.20CT $300-$1,000 $35-$70
1.00CT $9,000-$15,000 $350
2.00CT $20,000-$40,000 $700
How to Pick a Lab Alexandrite Engagement Ring
Couples choosing a Lab Alexandrite should first ensure their jeweler is selling true Lab Alexandrite and not a simulant. Then, as Lab Created Alex is formed in perfect color change and clarity, all you have to do is pick a shape, مقاس, and setting!
LAB ALEXANDRITE SHAPE & SIZE
Couples choosing Lab stones have greater options when it comes to shape (يقطع) and size (carat weight). بعبارة أخرى, Lab Alex comes in heavier carat weight than Natural Alex, as well as in shapes not often faceted in natural stones (such as ro