Alexandrite jewelry

About alexandrite

Alexandrite is a a rare color-change variety of chrysoberyl, a beryllium aluminum oxide, colored by trace amounts of chromium rated 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, Alexandrite rates 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, harder than topaz and softer than sapphire. For context, a steel nail is roughly 6.5, sapphire is 9, and diamond is 10. At 8.5, alexandrite is well-suited to everyday wear in any style of jewelry, including rings. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush.. Its color ranges from color-changing, appearing bluish-green in daylight and purplish-red under incandescent light, an effect often described as emerald by day, ruby by night, with the most prized stones showing even saturation and high clarity.

Alexandrite was discovered in Russia's Ural Mountains in the 1830s and named after Tsar Alexander II. The original Russian deposits, prized for the strongest color change, were quickly depleted, and today most alexandrite comes from Brazil, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Madagascar. Natural alexandrite with strong color change is among the rarest gemstones on Earth, with fine specimens rivaling ruby and emerald in per-carat value.

Historically, alexandrite has been associated with transformation, balance, and adaptability. In crystal healing and metaphysical traditions, alexandrite is associated with the Heart and Crown Chakras. It is linked to personal growth, emotional balance, and the harmony of opposites, themes that mirror the stone's own dual nature. Practitioners often use it as a stone for moments of change and life transitions, fitting for June's bridge between seasons.