As their name suggests, alexandrite stones are beautiful gems that are admired by jewelers, collectors, and gems enthusiasts alike. It’s best known for its marvelous color-changing abilities, which takes the form of a green stone appearing red or a purplish red depending on the light’s source. These qualities make it stand out, but with combined scarcity turns alexandrite into one of the most prised gemstones known in the world. The garnets formed during the mountain range’s genesis contained traces of the stone which were later discovered, and to this day, remain wonders to mankind.
The Origins and Discovery
The history of alexandrite dates back till the mid 1800s in the Ural Mountains. The alexandrite deposits were discovered sometime in 1830 by famed geologist and mineralogist Nils Gustaf Nordenskiöld who gave the stone it’s modern name. The initial find was limited to the Urals region for many years, and it was the only known source of alexandrite.
The Alexandrite Effect
An important characteristic of alexandrite is its color change feature. Alexandrite shows bluish-greenish colors under fluorescent light while it changes to reddish-purple under candle or incandescent light. This change in color is the result of the stone absorbing and reflecting different wavelengths of light. The presence of chromium as a trace element in the gemstone’s chemical structure is the primary cause for the optical effect.
This one gem is like no other, and in turn, the alexandrite effect makes the gem extremely sought after by collectors and jewelers. It’s combination of shifting colors creates a stunning display that would make anyone want to pick it up.
Rarity and Limited Availability
The quality that makes alexandrite so beautiful is also the alexandrite’s greatest flaw – its rarity. Alexandrite stones are known to come from only a few places in the world and the original source from Russia is now nearly depleted. The gem was plentiful in the Ural Mountains during the 19th century, but is now exceedingly scarce. Over the years, some regions have been found to have alexandrite such as East Africa, parts of Sri Lanka, and Brazil. These places are, however, not easily accessible and have scarce deposits.
Brazil today is one of the most notable sources of alexandrite, especially in the state of Minas Gerais. The quality of this alexandrite from Brazil is, however, not as good as the original stones from Russia because they are known to not have a deep vivid color change, which the minerals from Ural Mountains possess. The alexandrite from Brazil is still highly prized, although, unlike the russian stones, they don’t have a deep vivid color change. Sri Lanka and Tanzania have larger deposits of alexandrite and, along with Brazil, supply the rest of the world needing alexandrite stones.
The limited geographical locations available for alexandrite mining is not the sole reason for the gemstones high rareness. The peculiar specific conditions needed to form the gemstone is a contributing factor as well. The specific combination of temperature, pressure, and elements needed to give the stone its distinct color changing nature is very rare. As a result, alexandrites superiority in quality is a remarkable geological occurrence which adds to its overall scarcity.
Value and Investment Potential
These unique attributes make alexandrite one of the most valued gemstones in existence. When it comes to gemstones, combination of size, color, clarity, and intensity of color change all play an important role in deciding its price. In the gem market, larger stones which have changes colors of high intensity are the most sought after and expensive. A selection of high grade alexandrite stones prices exceed even the costly diamonds and other gemstones.
Aside from the commercial and aesthetic value, alexandrite is now considered a form of popular investment. With time investors are expecting the price to appreciate due to the continuous decline in availability. Unlike being mass produced and widely available diamonds, scarcity of alexandrite assures that it will remain a highly sought after gemstone for generations to come.
Conclusion \n\nOne of the most distinguishing features of alexandrite is its rarity, which enhances its appeal. Due to its specific formation conditions, natural deposits, and remarkable color-changing capability, alexandrite is one of the most extraordinary gemstones in the world. From those who admire its beauty to those who wish to invest money in it, alexandrite inspires everyone who is lucky enough to have this phenomenon of a gemstone. Together with its striking visual effect, the inaccessibility of the stone ensures that alexandrite will always serve as a representation of wealth, beauty, and timeless elegance.
