Help me pick an alex engagement stone please :)

[Kase_Ace]

Hi Everyone,
I’ve been lurking on here for several months now, trying to absorb as much as I can from the wealth of knowledge everyone has. I decided I needed to post to get some opinions before my partner and I take the plunge and buy our engagement stone.
I’ve familiarised myself with the coloured gemstone buying sticky (and many, many more threads as well). There is a lot of information on the site though and as were are getting into the final decision-making regarding the actual purchase, I thought it might be worthwhile to get some expert input. I appreciate any assistance provided!
We are looking for an alexandrite, around one carat for up to $1500, perhaps a little more if something is really special. I know it’s not a particularly high budget for Alexandrite, but I am particularly partial to the less saturated tones, provided that the daylight/incandescent colours are both appealing. I have found several stones I am interested in, in the budget I am looking for. These are two stones I have found in my budget that I really love:
https://www.ajsgem.com/chrysoberyl/alexandrite/alexandrite-1.05-carats.html3

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax855aa/&1244716636

I contacted David from Multicolour about the bottom one and requested a video that he kindly provided. I know the bottom one is greyish, but I love greyish stones. I’m ot sure that purchasing a greyish alex would be a wise choice. I think it might also be a little bit deeply cut, although I’m not sure on this as I’m such a newbie to all this stuff.
I’d love any feedback, suggestions about what questions to ask or even suggestions for other stones that might be better? Like I mentioned, I have familiarised myself with the sticky so know to ask about extinction and windows, but any other questions that might be worthwhile would still be appreciated. Thank you so much for any help! I need it…
I've also made my avatar similar to the setting we are looking at. in case it's relevant! The cushion cut one works with a slightly different setting too though, so I'm not super concerned with the shape so much as everything else.

 

[Kase_Ace]

Anyone...?

 

[BigC]

I am no expert in alex, as I recently just purchased my first stone as well. I am a sucker for the intense color change, and Brazilian stones, so I am no help in this matter.
Is it a birthstone? which is the significance of the stone in an engagement ring?
For me, alex is all about color change, so seeing that the MC stone has weak to moderate color change, I personally would be turned off by that. Just seeing if we can get more information about why you are chosing ALEX and then maybe someone can help you out.
GOOD LUCK!!! Excited to see what folks say

 

[Bron357]

Hi, there are a few Alex experts that should weigh in. I’m no expert but I do have one.
Alex as a colour change gem, for the purists, is a green teal in daylight and a purple with red under incandescent light.
These days, almost any Chyroberyl that shows colour change, even minor, is labeled as “Alexandrite”.
To me, none of the Alex’s on AJS have a good “incandescent” colour. None are the preferred purple / reddish colour.
But then again for that strong change the $$$$ go up and up and up.
So you might have to ask yourself “do I want to pay a premium price for a gem labeled “Alexandrite” which, in real life, barely changes colour and doesn’t look much like the revered type at all?”
The other issue is photos.
Alex’s are almost impossible to photo as the eye sees them, especially the daylight colour. I can only recommend whoever you purchase from, make sure they have a no hassle return policy if the gem, in person, isn’t as you expected or hoped.
There are two other colour change gems you might like to consider, being garnet and sapphire.

 

[Kase_Ace]

Thanks for your responses guys I really appreciate it.
We're looking at Alex because my partner's name is Alexander. We felt it would be a beautiful show of sentiment to go for a gemstone that bears his name (kind of). We never wanted a diamond, but I am still partial to light coloured stones as an engagement ring. Additionally, we picked Alex as green is both of our favourite colour. And of course the colour change aspect we both adore.
Obviously the ideal is strong colour change, but I'm trying to be realistic with my expectations on what we will get for the price we can afford. The less saturated stones are going to be less expensive (which works for me since I am after a lighter stone anyway). I'd like around 1ct and would prefer eye clean if possible.
I agree that AJS tends to have a decent daylight colour, but average incandescent colour. Since green is my favourite colour that's more important to me, but ideally, I'd like a colour change that I will like in every light. I really love the AJS green colour and I thought perhaps set in rose gold, the incandescent colour might pop a bit more. It reminds me of morganite, which I also love and think looks great in rose gold.

I've been looking for a few months and these are the two stones I've seen that appeal the most. I might be best to continue looking for a while longer. As far as sellers are concerned, are there any others that I should be looking at specifically? I know Alex can be difficult to find from a reputable source and these are the only two companies I have looked at regularly.

And absolutely I'll make sure the return policy is hassle-free before I buy from anyone. Definitely don't want to be stuck with a stone I don't love.

Thanks again guys for your responses. I am floundering a bit on where to go from here so your help is much appreciated!

 

[Kase_Ace]

Also, the stone pictured above is incredible. Is that a Brazilian Alex?

 

[digdeep]

You are getting good advice in the color change world, and one more caveat is that gems that color change spend a preponderance of time in 'mixed' light with the resulting mixed color..........so aside from the main focus on daylight/incandescent, you want to be comfortable with the mixed light color. Just one more thing to be aware of and consider..........

 

[Kase_Ace]

Yes, I'm struggling with that a bit. I find the mixed light tends to look so brown with almost all stones. I'm really hoping for something with a good mixed light colour. That's part of the reason I thought the greyish one was nice, just because I'd rather grey than brown.
I might ask for a picture of the AJS one. I'm hoping the mixed light won't look too brown, but honestly I'm not holding my breath.

Thank you!

 

[LilAlex]

Not an expert but I have spent a lot of time looking and learning and comparing. I have a small Brazilian alex with terrific color change but I would not want it in an e-ring. Tbh, at your price point, you will end up with a disappointing stone, imo. The name may resonate with you, but having a stone named after a Russian czar is a bit of a turn-off for me (although he was better than most). Plus, you kinda need to see them in person; they're not for everyone. If you're accustomed to the knock-your-socks-off vibrant color of sapphire and ruby and emerald -- where a hint of gray sets your teeth on edge -- then most alex won't do it for you.

You should be able to find an attractive pale-blue heated sapphire in that price range. I think it would make a much prettier ring. I just don't think you'll find much appealing at that price point -- and you may not be satisfied even spending ten times that on an alex.

 

[Bron357]

Also, the stone pictured above is incredible. Is that a Brazilian Alex?

My one it’s probably Russian (given its inclusion types). Here in Australia I can’t get an “origin report” but I’m not needing one for the sake of it.
And mine has very good strong colour change and looks glorious in sunlight or by candlelight but in mixed light, as mentioned before, it looks quite nondescript. Remember any online vendor is posting up their “best photos” so as you can imagine what you get to see in just ordinary conditions can be quite disappointing.
And 1 carat is quite small in person btw. Mine is 7mm x 5mm about 1 carat face up (actually .89 because it’s a little shallow in depth) on a size 71/2 finger so you don’t get a lot of finger coverage. These are just iPhone photos, natural light and in the bathroom.

 

[chatoyancy]

My one it’s probably Russian (given its inclusion types). Here in Australia I can’t get an “origin report” but I’m not needing one for the sake of it.
And mine has very good strong colour change and looks glorious in sunlight or by candlelight but in mixed light, as mentioned before, it looks quite nondescript. Remember any online vendor is posting up their “best photos” so as you can imagine what you get to see in just ordinary conditions can be quite disappointing.
And 1 carat is quite small in person btw. Mine is 7mm x 5mm about 1 carat face up (actually .89 because it’s a little shallow in depth) on a size 71/2 finger so you don’t get a lot of finger coverage. These are just iPhone photos, natural light and in the bathroom.

Your stone is really cool! I love the color change on yours.

 

[chatoyancy]

I don’t have an alexandrite, but I have a color change stone. I’m glad I like it’s mixed lighting color, because that is what I usually see. It’s a cool party trick stone. Good luck in your quest!