Alexandrite

Alexandrite is celebrated for its rare and remarkable colour-change phenomenon. Depending on the light source, alexandrite can appear bluish-green in daylight and shift to purplish-red under incandescent light; a magical transformation often described as “emerald by day, ruby by night.” Discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountains in the 1830s and named for Czar Alexander II, this gem is a variety of chrysoberyl.  

Fine-quality alexandrite is among the world’s most valuable coloured gemstones, sought after for its rarity and dramatic play of colour. With a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale, this stone is durable enough for daily wear, making alexandrite engagement rings an intriguing and unique option for couples. 

Hardness: 8.5 (Mohs scale), highly durable, suitable for everyday jewellery. 

Colour: Changes from bluish-green in daylight to purplish-red under incandescent light. The more dramatic and distinct the colour change, the higher the value. 

Origin: The original and most prized alexandrite came from Russia’s Ural Mountains. Today, significant deposits are found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, East Africa and India. 

Notable Fact: Alexandrite’s colour change is due to its unique crystal structure interacting with different wavelengths of light. Because of its rarity, natural alexandrite is considered a collector’s gemstone. It is also the birthstone for June, along with pearl and moonstone. 

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