| Alexandrite - the tsarstone - is a variety of the | | | | in nature - makes alexandrite one of the rarest |
| mineral, chrysoberyl, an aluminate of beryllium. | | | | and most valuable of the gemstones. An |
| Although mined in such scattered locations as | | | | alexandrite of more than one caret is rarer than a |
| Brazil, Burma, India, Madagascar and Tanzania, the | | | | fine ruby, sapphire or emerald. |
| finest examples of the unique gem, alexandrite, | | | | It's interesting to note that this tendency of a |
| are from the Rodina - Mother Russia. | | | | stone to change colors is in fact called "the |
| With a rating of 8.5 on Moh's scale, alexandrite | | | | alexandrite effect." Sapphires and garnets, for |
| ranks right between ruby and sapphire. This | | | | instance, are said to be "alexandritic". |
| hardness makes alexandrite an excellent choice | | | | For a beautiful selection of gemstone rings, visit |
| for jewelry. It is its color - or more properly, | | | | from Apples of Gold Jewelry. |
| 'colors' - that give alexandrite its unique quality. In | | | | Apples of Gold Jewelry has launched it's section of |
| daylight, an optimum, or ideal, alexandrite is a | | | | gemstone jewelry articles on all major gemstones |
| bluish emerald green. In incandescent light, | | | | such as the sapphire, emerald, ruby, tanzanite |
| however, the alexandrite appears a purplish or | | | | jewelry, amethyst rings, pink sapphire, pearl |
| raspberry red. These are the striking hues of the | | | | jewelry, onyx rings, blue topaz gemstone jewelry, |
| original Russian alexandrite. Alexandrite from other | | | | aquamarine rings, peridot, garnet, and more |
| locations tends to be less vivid in varying degrees. | | | | gemstone jewelry. |
| This interesting trait of this diaphanous mineral is | | | | With a knowledgeable staff writer an expert |
| due to alexandrite's chemical composition. | | | | research, the Apples of Gold Jewelry gemstone |
| Although basically a chrysoberyl, which is colorless, | | | | rings section offers invaluable insight into each |
| alexandrite contains iron, titanium, beryllium and | | | | major gemstone. |
| chromium. This very specific set of circumstances | | | | |