| Alexandrite, which is used in June birthstone | | | | clarity and cutting quality of the gem. Alexandrites |
| jewelry, is one of the uncommonest of gems to | | | | that are found in Russia are believed to be of |
| surface on the earth. It is recognized as the June | | | | better quality and color, consequently making |
| birthstone and is the gemstone used to | | | | them more expensive. The majority of the |
| commemorate both the 45th and 55th wedding | | | | alexandrites on sale are below 1 carat since larger |
| anniversaries. It belongs to the chrysoberyl family | | | | sizes are too expensive by most people. |
| and made of a mix of iron, chromium, titanium, | | | | Caring for Your Alexandrite Jewelsit is best to |
| aluminum and chrysoberyl mineral. | | | | keep alexandrites away from extreme heat as |
| Color Changing Properties of Alexandrite | | | | this can impinge on their color change effect. |
| This June birthstone is greatly valued because of | | | | When cleaning these gemstones soapy warm |
| it's capacity to significantly change colors. In | | | | water may be used or alcohol or any |
| comparison with other gem for example | | | | commercially available products. If ultrasonic or |
| diamonds and sapphires, alexandrite is a fairly new | | | | steam cleaning are necessary properly skilled |
| gem to the market, having only been found close | | | | jewelers should be used. |
| to 150 years ago. The Alexandrite gemstone was | | | | Sources of Alexandrite |
| first discovered in the Russian Ural Mountains | | | | The original source of alexandrite in Russia has |
| around 1830 and was named after Alexander II | | | | now virtually been mined out, though the mines |
| the Czar of Russia. This precious stone was given | | | | are still working and produce a small number of |
| the name "magic gem" because of it's mystical | | | | tiny stones every year. These days there are |
| display of colors. | | | | two chief sources of alexandrite gemstones, Brazil |
| The color of this gemstone depends on the | | | | and Sri Lanka (Ceylon). In the 1990's Alexandrite |
| wavelength of the illuminating light and the | | | | stones were also found in countries such as |
| chemical bonds that exist in the gem. In sunlight | | | | Zimbabwe, India, Burma and Madagascar. Sadly, |
| alexandrite displays a a color that is blue green like | | | | none of these new sources has managed to |
| moss but when seen under incandescent light | | | | produce as intense and vivid colors as the |
| from a candle or lamp the color transforms to a | | | | gemstones produced in Russia. Stones from these |
| lovely raspberry hue. This transformation is | | | | sources have their own characteristics: for |
| referred to as the alexandrite effect. It's a result | | | | example the grayish hues of Ceylon stones and |
| of the chemical mixing of chrysoberyl, which is a | | | | Brazil stones having yellow tones on the green |
| rare oxide mineral, and chromium. the lovely color | | | | color. |
| of Alexandrite come from chromium. | | | | Conclusion |
| Alexandrite Gemstone Quality | | | | Despite the relatively short history of this |
| It is important to consider the strength of the | | | | attractive gemstone it has already been attributed |
| color change when evaluating an alexandrite. The | | | | with a variety of mystical and magical properties. |
| precious stone is considered rarer and of higher | | | | It is a rare and gorgeous gemstone and makes a |
| value if the color change is more complete and | | | | wonderful June birthstone jewelry gift for a loved |
| intense. A further factor to bear in mind is the | | | | one with a June birthday. |