Move over diamonds. Alexandrite gemstones have marked their spot as the ‘must have’ jewel of the century.
For years, the world has seemed to obsess over diamonds. But now, Alexandrite gemstone has officially made its mark as the most coveted and sought-after stone to wear on an exquisite piece of jewelry proudly.
It’s easy to fall in love with Alexandrite gemstones, mainly because they represent an elite class of lucky beholders who get to show off this color-morphing jewel.
But many people are yet to discover the Alexandrite, let alone know all the facts that make this gem so glorious. From the Alexandrite color to where it was initially found and got its name, this gemstone remains a mystery to many still.
So we’ve rounded up five different facts that you probably did not know about to make you fall in love with the precious jewel even more.
1. Named after a King (or, Czar)
The Alexandrite gets its name from one of Russia’s Czars—Alexander II. Legend has it that the first ever Alexandrite gemstone was found in the Ural mountains of Russia back in 1834. It was discovered on the very same day that happened to be you Alexander Nikolaevich’s 16th birthday before she was crowned. This gem truly is fit for a king or queen—and the name’s origin ensures just that. And while the gemstone was eventually discovered in other countries outside of Russia, Czar Alexander II’s legacy lives on to this day through this beautiful and highly coveted stone.
2. The colors change throughout the day
What makes the Alexandrite gemstone so remarkable and unique is its ability to change to various colors throughout the course of the day. In scientific terms, this is a result of its pleochroic property, which changes colors based on the lighting it comes into contact with. Generally speaking, the Alexandrite will have a blue or green color when exposed to daylight but will look pink or red when evening time hits or near candlelight. The most exquisite and rarest of the Alexandrite will have a yellow or green hue.
3. It is more expensive than a diamond
While diamonds have a reputation for being the crème de la crème stone on luxury jewelry, the Alexandrite takes the top place for being more expensive than sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and diamonds! To give you a baseline, one single carat of Alexandrite that hasn’t even been treated or cut yet will be worth at least $20,000, where a perfected D grade diamond will come in at roughly the same. The biggest Alexandrite currently is 66 carats and sitting safely in the Smithsonian Museum. We’ll just let you do the math on how much that is worth. So move over diamonds, an Alexandrite is truly a girl’s best friend.
4. This gemstone is really, really hard to find
Surprisingly, it didn’t take long after Alexandrite was first found in Russia to become depleted in the original spot. Now, Alexandrite is rare—which is what makes a single carat of it so expensive. Only a handful of countries have currently successfully mine it, including Brazil, Sri Lanka, Burma, Madagascar, and Tanzania.
5. Wearing it brings both love and fortune
Legends have it that those who are lucky enough to wear an Alexandrite piece of jewelry are going to bring good omens with them wherever they go. To the beholder, an Alexandrite is said to help enhance creativity and focus while also providing a special connection to the spiritual world. This is one of the key reasons—in addition to it just being downright fabulous—that so many brides are hoping to get an Alexandrite ring for their engagement or wedding band. And we don’t blame them, as there isn’t a better way to seal the deal than with an Alexandrite.
Jewelry designers most commonly use alexandrite for necklaces and rings, as the gemstone makes for the ultimate “it” piece of any design. With the ability to change colors, it will also never go out of style.
With a relatively young history of just 200 years compared to its competitor gemstones, the Alexandrite is just starting to make its mark as the ultimate sign of wealth, love, and beauty. And while we are sure that diamonds will always have a special place, if it came down to choosing between an Alexandrite or a diamond ring, we would select the Alexandrite ring every single time.
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