Healing Properties of Alexandrite
Rather than just bring you joy, Alexandrite helps you develop your own source of joy within yourself. It facilitates an awareness of the beauty of every moment, and your power to choose and make the most of your life. It provides hope by means of awareness of the possibilities that are always available to you, no matter your circumstances.
Alexandrite as a Gemstone
About the Stone
Alexandrite is a member of the chrysoberyl family of stone, some of the rarest stones on earth. (Despite the similar name, they are not related to the beryl family which includes emerald, aquamarine, and morganite). It sits at a 8.5 on the Moh’s scale, making it one of the hardest gemstones.
Alexandrite has an optical property called pleochroism which means that it appears to change color when viewed at different angles. In addition to being pleochroic, it also changes color based on the ambient light source. Under incandescent lighting it will appear purplish-red, but in daylight it will appear bluish-green. This effect is due to the way it absorbs yellow light while transmitting blue and red light.
Alexandrite was discovered in Russia in the 1830s, and named such to honor the Russian Tsar Alexander II. Originally, alexandrite was thought to only be found in Russia, but a Brazilian deposit was discovered in the late 1980s and others soon followed. Today, small deposits of alexandrite are found in Russia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Burma, India, and Sri Lanka; although they are still quite rare, especially for high quality.
Alexandrite in Jewelry
Alexandrite is often listed as the birthstone for the month of June, but because of its rarity, pearls are also listed.
Alexandrite is available only from reputable dealers, and it comes at a price. This stone is not for amateurs, and even pieces of lower quality the size of diamond points (.015cts) are expensive. If you are offered it at an exceptionally low price…it’s probably not alexandrite.
