A gemstone that changes color… would you choose it?
Alexandrite is one of the rarest gemstones in the world. It behaves almost like a gemstone with two personalities - In daylight it appears emerald green, but under incandescent light it turns deep red. Collectors often call this phenomenon: "Emerald by day, ruby by night."
What’s the story?
Finnish mineralogist Nils Gustaf Nordenskjold was studying newly discovered emerald deposits when he noticed an unusual green crystal in 1830. At first glance, he believed it was simply another emerald.
But when he examined it under candlelight that evening, the stone turned red. The discovery shocked him.
The newly identified gem was named alexandrite, in honor of the young Russian heir Tsar Alexander II, whose birthday coincided with the discovery.
Even more remarkable, the gemstone's colors - green and red - matched the military colors of Imperial Russia.
Only later did its unusual color shift reveal that it was something entirely new to science. No two alexandrite's display exactly the same transformation. And the stronger the color change, the more valuable the gem becomes.
Rarer than diamonds
Despite diamonds dominating the jewelry market, natural alexandrite is far rarer.
The original Russian deposits that produced the finest stones are now nearly depleted. Later discoveries in other regions provided additional sources, including: Brazil (major finds in the 1980s), Tanzania, India and Zimbabwe, but even in these locations, high-quality stones remain extremely scarce.
Because of this rarity, exceptional alexandrite can command astonishing prices - sometimes millions of dollars.
Today, alexandrite remains one of the most coveted gemstones in the world — and only a few exceptional pieces make it into fine jewelry collections.
One famous alexandrite ring sold for approximately $1.9 million, setting a record for the gemstone.
Alexandrite is also recognized as one of the modern birthstones for June, alongside pearl and moonstone.
A Stone of Extraordinary Character
Beyond its color change, alexandrite possesses several remarkable properties:
Hardness: 8.5 on the Mohs scale, making it durable for everyday jewelry
Pleochroism: shows different colors when viewed from different angles
High brilliance: exceptional sparkle when cut properly
But what makes alexandrite truly fascinating is its extreme rarity.
High-quality natural alexandrite is considered among the rarest gemstones in the jewelry trade. Large natural alexandrites are rarer than diamonds, and stones over 1 carat are already considered exceptional.
Some outstanding pieces sell for hundreds of thousands - even millions - of dollars. Its dramatic shift between green and red has often been interpreted as a symbol of duality and transformation.
A Natural Optical Illusion: Why it Happens?
This phenomenon happens because of tiny traces of chromium inside the crystal. These impurities absorb specific wavelengths of light, meaning the gemstone reflects different colors depending on the lighting environment.
Because of this coincidence, alexandrite quickly became known as the national gemstone of the Russian Empire, treasured by aristocrats and incorporated into royal jewelry.
Legendary Alexandrite Stones
Some alexandrite gems have become legendary among collectors.
Tsar's Treasure
A spectacular specimen weighing over 30 carats, discovered in Russia's emerald mines.
Its color change is among the most dramatic ever recorded - shifting from vivid emerald green to deep ruby red. Many historians believe it once formed part of the Russian crown jewels.
Brazilian Star
Discovered in Brazil, this 25-carat gemstone shows a striking transformation from teal-blue-green to purplish-red. It helped reignite global fascination with alexandrite when Brazilian deposits were discovered in the 1980s.
The Patriot
A massive 500+ gram rough crystal found in Russia's Malyshevskoye mine. Though flawed and unsuitable for cutting, it remains one of the largest alexandrite crystals ever discovered.
A Symbol of Transformation
It is said to symbolize adaptability, inner balance, heightened intuition, and creative energy - the rare ability to move gracefully through change without losing one's essence.
That is why alexandrite is often called "the gemstone of transformation."
Not just because it changes color...
But because it reminds us of a quiet truth about life:
Even the most solid, unchanging things in the world can transform - depending entirely on how the light falls.
If you’re looking for jewelry that is rare, meaningful, and unforgettable, alexandrite is truly something special.
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