Please evaluate this alexandrite

[stringer764]

Hi everyone, I am loving this stone:
https://www.gemsny.com/loose-alexandrite/1.29-Carat-Round-Alexandrite-AL98018RD/

I've read some not-so-flattering reviews about this company on this forum, but alexandrites are very hard to find and this company seems to have the most.

Alternatively, if the cut or whatever else on that stone sucks, what about:
https://www.gemsny.com/loose-alexandrite/1.45-Carat-Cushion-Alexandrite-AL98564CU/
https://www.gemsny.com/loose-alexandrite/1.16-Carat-Cushion-Alexandrite-AL98551CU/
https://www.gemsny.com/loose-alexandrite/1.21-Carat-Cushion-Alexandrite-AL98557CU/

Thanks for any advice you can give!

 

[chrono]

You want Yellowish Green to Purplish Brown? Because that's how GIA described the colour change.

 

[stringer764]

Should I pay more attention to that than the actual color that it appears to be in the photos? The UGL appraisal also uses the same photos.

 

[chrono]

UGL is not a respectable lab for CS in the mind of collectors. I also generally do not go by lab memo photographs but by their text description.

 

[stringer764]

I see - thanks so much for your advice.

What about: https://www.gemsny.com/loose-alexandrite/1.21-Carat-Cushion-Alexandrite-AL98557CU/?

I like the yellowish green to pinkish purple change the GIA certificate describes. How is the stone otherwise?

 

[LD]

If you want an Alexandrite, go to the expert, David Weinberg. His company is called Multicolour.com and his assessment of each gemstone will tell you what you need to know about each stone. http://www.multicolour.com/gallery/?/gallery/alexandrite/

In buying an Alex you look for (1) colours / colour change ie green to purple/red - not yellow or orange. You need the stone to look good in both colourways and a strong colour change is the most desired (2) size - look for stones over 1ct if your budget allows (3) clarity - expect an Alexandrite to have inclusions. Some are eye clean and are the most desired. Silk is often found in Alex. If you want an eye clean stone you will pay much more for it. (4) cut - you very rarely see precision cut Alexandrites and cuts are usually a bit "off" so if you want a precision cut, eye clean stone, it's best to stay away from Alex unless you have the money to buy a very good, desireable stone.

If you look at my avatar that's the colour you should expect to see in a good incandescent colour way.