Alexandrite origin question

[MamiG]

I recently purchased a beautiful round alexandrite that came with a UGL Gemstone Identification report and appraisal, and the ID report states that the stone is from Brazil. Well I have sent the stone off to a jeweler to set in a custom made ring, and she mentioned that she thinks the stone is from Sri Lanka because of the fingerprint inclusions visible under a microscope. I did not mention the origins of the stone to her, and this has caused me a bit of pause. So my question is this: is it possible to identify an Alexandrite's origin from the specific type of fingerprint inclusions? From reading around on the internet, it doesn't seem like my Alex has the qualities "typical" of Sri Lanka, as it exhibits an emerald green in daylight and purple in incandescent. Thanks for your expert opinions

 

[minousbijoux]

Honestly, UGL is not a lab that I would use to verify origin or treatment of colored stones. In the case of an alex, the only one that I would trust would be AGL. At the end of the day, though, what matters is the percent color change and the colorways. If yours happens to have close to complete color change (lab report should specify this), and you have the green to purple colorways, and you're setting this and plan to keep it, the origin doesn't matter as much. I have seen beautiful alex from both Brazil and India (green to purple) and not so great colors from both both origins as well. What matters is that you think its beautiful.

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

Hi, MamiG. Please share pictures of your Alex ring when it is done. We would love to see it! Jealous already!

 

[MamiG]

Thanks for your reply Minous..I have heard that UGL isn't the most reliable, but I have never really seen a reason why. I am extremely happy with the gem, and it's origin really doesn't matter to me. I just wanted to know if you can really identify origin based on types of fingerprint inclusions or if that was a bit of a stretch.

MissyBeaucoup, I will post as soon as I have my ring in hand! It is supposed to be finished by Thursday with pics for final approval!