Purchasing NAtural Alexandrite

[laureah21]

Hello,

I am hoping someone can help me. I am beginning a diploma in gemology soon and also recently got engaged
I have picked a natural Alexandrite as a feature stone for my ring, just to be difficult . I understand they are very rare, which is part of the reason I wanted one, also something a bit different to a diamond and beautiful.
I have been quoted by the jeweler who said he has sourced two with GIA certifications:
0.61carats @ $3700
1.1 carats @ $8500

Firstly I want to be sure I am not being ripped off, I also want to know what questions I need to be asking about these stones to ensure I am getting the best value for my money. I am so worried about getting a lab made one. I would rather go with a different stone then recieving that. Any tips would be great.

 

[Niel]

someone was just looking for some alex on here and he found some really good ones at multicolour.com

 

[pregcurious]

Here is the thread mentioned above:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/alexandrite-help-engagement-ring.184599/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/alexandrite-help-engagement-ring.184599/[/URL]

 

[Niel]

i wonder how complete the color change is for this, because a pear faces up larger for the ct, and its a nice shape and would be really pretty in a halo or double halo or something. what kind of ring will you have?
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?-535011893

 

[laureah21]

Thanks for the link

 

[laureah21]

I am looking at a round halo cluster type ring with the Alexandrite in the middle and diamonds on the outside circle. A yellow gold band and white gold holding the stones (I think) Only becasue yellow gold is nicer on my skin, but not sure if it is nice for the Alexandrite.

 

[LD]

Hello,

I am hoping someone can help me. I am beginning a diploma in gemology soon and also recently got engaged
I have picked a natural Alexandrite as a feature stone for my ring, just to be difficult . I understand they are very rare, which is part of the reason I wanted one, also something a bit different to a diamond and beautiful.

I have been quoted by the jeweler who said he has sourced two with GIA certifications:
0.61carats @ $3700
1.1 carats @ $8500

Firstly I want to be sure I am not being ripped off, I also want to know what questions I need to be asking about these stones to ensure I am getting the best value for my money. I am so worried about getting a lab made one. I would rather go with a different stone then recieving that. Any tips would be great.

Unfortunately none of that tells us anything. With Alex, the strength of colour change denotes the price followed by clarity/size. So, if the ones your jeweller has found have weak or moderate colour change and/or the colour change is less than 80% then the prices could be cheap or expensive! My other hesitation is that your jeweller is sourcing these for you and presumably hasn't seen very many Alex (that's not a criticism because most haven't). Therefore you won't necessarily know if what you're being sold is good or not. You need experienced eyes to get you the best for your money and that means being able to compare and contrast a range of Alex (bearing in mind they are in short supply). I know I keep banging on about David at Multicolour.com (and I'm not associated with that company in any way but am a very happy buyer of Alex from them) but he's the person who should be the "go to" for Alex. I never use these words lightly but this is a RARE gemstone and good specimens are even rarer. It's not like many other gems.

If your budget can go up to $8500 or maybe above, you'll be able to find something very nice.

 

[chrono]

Unfortunately, there is no way to be able to tell the quality from price alone. Your jeweller could be very expensive or really competitively priced. Alexandrite is judged by the completeness of the colour change, the colouration of both the green and red sides, the size, and the clarity. The only way we might be able to provide comments is if and this is a big IF, you can capture both colours accurately.

 

[Niel]

That Sounds like its going to be a reallly fabulous ring! I cant wait to see it finished.
Everyone else has given good advise, i just wanted to say i love your setting desiign, who will be making it

 

[vickygigi]

Alex is a beautiful stone. I had one because it was my daughter's birthstone (June). Mine went from emerald green to blue gray. As others have said on here, it's the color change that makes Alex special. Determine which color range you want. Some also go red/purple. Congrats!

 

[LD]

Alex is a beautiful stone. I had one because it was my daughter's birthstone (June). Mine went from emerald green to blue gray. As others have said on here, it's the color change that makes Alex special. Determine which color range you want. Some also go red/purple. Congrats!

Honey, I'm sorry to tell you but what you've got is not an Alex. There is no Alex in the world that changes from an emerald green to a blue/gray. I'm sorry

 

[chrono]

I've never seen or heard of a blue to green alexandrite either.

 

[vickygigi]

But it did. I don't have it anymore, but it would go from green to blue/gray. Honestly, it did!

 

[LD]

But it did. I don't have it anymore, but it would go from green to blue/gray. Honestly, it did!

It's categorically not an Alexandrite. Alex only comes in green to red/purple OR, for not so good ones, grey/green to brownish/orange. Any other colourway is definitely not an Alexandrite. It sounds like you had a synthetic corundum (which are commonly sold as alexandrites) although even then it's an unusual colourway. I'm sure your stone had the colourway you described it's just that it's a physical impossibility that it could be an Alex. Here are a couple of things for you to read that you may find helpful:

http://www.alexandrite.net/
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/have-you-really-got-an-alexandrite-read-this-first.179784/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/have-you-really-got-an-alexandrite-read-this-first.179784/[/URL]

 

[chrono]

I don't doubt what you saw but I doubt what was sold to you. One of the identifying characteristic of alexandrite is any shade of green to red change. All else means that it is either a synthetic or simulant.

 

[LD]

I've been reflecting on this over night and the only other explanation (but I doubt this is it), is that it had such a weak colour change that the daylight green somehow morphed into a grey at night - although seeing blue at night strongly suggests this isn't the case. Bearing in mind, an alex is only an alex if it has the green to reddish/purple colourway this would mean that even if this was a chrysoberyl it wouldn't be classified as an alexandrite.

 

[laureah21]

Thanks so much everyone for the info.

I asked the jeweler that quoted prices about the colour change but he was unsure. He said he didn't know much about the stone and seemed quiet disinterested in the whole thing, to hard basket I think !
So I tried another jeweler in my town who was great. There gemologist was very knowledgable and helpful.

She had some at her studio in her safe, so brought them in yesterday for me to view to make sure I did like the look of Alex in person. She had two small stones that belong to her, about stud earing size. She was very protective of them, making sure I understood they were not for sale!
Beautiful dark green wih flashes of teal blue (some black specks?) under the Fluoro light, she then put them under another desk light and they went reddy purple. I'm assuming this is what we are after? Loved them, so hopefully she can find something similar even if its tiny

I want to try and get an Alex but if not I would rather a different gem then a lab made one

 

[LD]

Thanks so much everyone for the info.

I asked the jeweler that quoted prices about the colour change but he was unsure. He said he didn't know much about the stone and seemed quiet disinterested in the whole thing, to hard basket I think !
So I tried another jeweler in my town who was great. There gemologist was very knowledgable and helpful.

She had some at her studio in her safe, so brought them in yesterday for me to view to make sure I did like the look of Alex in person. She had two small stones that belong to her, about stud earing size. She was very protective of them, making sure I understood they were not for sale!
Beautiful dark green wih flashes of teal blue (some black specks?) under the Fluoro light, she then put them under another desk light and they went reddy purple. I'm assuming this is what we are after? Loved them, so hopefully she can find something similar even if its tiny

I want to try and get an Alex but if not I would rather a different gem then a lab made one

Mmmmm not sure. I've never seen black spots in an alex which sounds odd. Also, the way she got it to change is odd. Basically if you're in daylight / outside the alex will always be in the green colourway. It's only when natural daylight fades, or there's no daylight or you're in a dark room and then have lights on that you should see the colour change. If her desk was in full daylight and she put it under a light, it sounds a bit odd. Not impossible and not conclusive but just odd. Just so you know (and I'm not suggesting this) but synthetic alex has the exact properties of a real alex and only a lab can tell the difference.

Please don't compromise. Don't get a tiny one just because that's all she can get. Please get in touch with Multicolour. They have the largest inventory of anywhere I know. They also have great value for money. At the end of the day, you don't want to overpay and not have the surety of getting a good quality alex.

 

[demantoid]

I hope you don't find this insulting if you really have your heart set on an alexandrite, but have you considered a good quality color change garnet? They are considerably less expensive than alexandrite. There are some at gemfix.com if you want to have a look. I have a couple cc garnets (not from Gemfix.com) and I really like them.

 

[laureah21]

ok, thanks..... I had not thought of a garnet, I will have a look at them. I like rubies as well.

We were not in natural daylight it was under the shop fluroescents, they were dark green. She then put them under a small desk lamp that was hot and they changed colour. It is frustrating that it is hard to tell the difference betweel the real and lab made ones Maybe I am being too much of a fusspot!

 

[LD]

ok, thanks..... I had not thought of a garnet, I will have a look at them. I like rubies as well.

We were not in natural daylight it was under the shop fluroescents, they were dark green. She then put them under a small desk lamp that was hot and they changed colour. It is frustrating that it is hard to tell the difference betweel the real and lab made ones Maybe I am being too much of a fusspot!

Alex doesn't change with heat. The only way it changes it with light. If your jeweller was saying that it changed with heat then if I were you I'd run for the hills and never listen to another word from her!

I once went into a jewellers who showed me an "Alex" - I could tell it was off just by looking at it and said to him that I didn't think it was one. He said of course it was and look how it changes colour - he whipped out a lighter and proceeded to heat the stone and yes indeed it did change colour but of course proved it wasnt an Alex!

I love colour change garnets as well BUT they're not hardy or durable for everyday wear. If that's what you're looking for then this is not a suitable alternative. However, a colour change sapphire would be (although it's highly unlikely unless you have deep pockets that you get a green/red one) but you could get a blue/purple or another colourway.

 

[ChrisA222]

I've been reflecting on this over night and the only other explanation (but I doubt this is it), is that it had such a weak colour change that the daylight green somehow morphed into a grey at night - although seeing blue at night strongly suggests this isn't the case. Bearing in mind, an alex is only an alex if it has the green to reddish/purple colourway this would mean that even if this was a chrysoberyl it wouldn't be classified as an alexandrite.

I think LD is partially correct here..

I have the stone that was referenced by vickigigi...she sent it to me.

I've had real alex before...so I am familiar with it..at least based on one stone, LOL. This does not make me an expert but I have at least had one in my possession before. It was in a piece that I bought, which I resold to Lang Antiques (whose gemologist made absolutely sure it was real before they paid me for it.

So, about vicki's stone. It has very strong day color, much stronger and bluer green than the other Alex I had. During the day or in mixed daytime lighting it shows Blue green to Emerald Green tones. However, it does not have a particularly strong color change or incandescent shift, which is why she was only seeing a 'gray". You have to remember, this stone in question is only 4mm/.22ct so its hard to really 'see' the color like you would a larger stone.

I had to really amp up the yellow lighting, by waiting until night and then lighting several candles and observing. I was able to get a greyish-purple. She probably never saw this because of the type of lighting needed for that color to appear.

It was the same way with my other alex, which had a weaker day color (greyish green) and a much stronger incandescent color (reddish purple). It just seems to me that some are better with day colors and some with night colors.

Im sorry for the treadjack, I just wanted to post what I was able to observe.

 

[LD]

I've been reflecting on this over night and the only other explanation (but I doubt this is it), is that it had such a weak colour change that the daylight green somehow morphed into a grey at night - although seeing blue at night strongly suggests this isn't the case. Bearing in mind, an alex is only an alex if it has the green to reddish/purple colourway this would mean that even if this was a chrysoberyl it wouldn't be classified as an alexandrite.

I think LD is partially correct here..

I have the stone that was referenced by vickigigi...she sent it to me.

I've had real alex before...so I am familiar with it..at least based on one stone, LOL. This does not make me an expert but I have at least had one in my possession before. It was in a piece that I bought, which I resold to Lang Antiques (whose gemologist made absolutely sure it was real before they paid me for it.

So, about vicki's stone. It has very strong day color, much stronger and bluer green than the other Alex I had. During the day or in mixed daytime lighting it shows Blue green to Emerald Green tones. However, it does not have a particularly strong color change or incandescent shift, which is why she was only seeing a 'gray". You have to remember, this stone in question is only 4mm/.22ct so its hard to really 'see' the color like you would a larger stone.

I had to really amp up the yellow lighting, by waiting until night and then lighting several candles and observing. I was able to get a greyish-purple. She probably never saw this because of the type of lighting needed for that color to appear.

It was the same way with my other alex, which had a weaker day color (greyish green) and a much stronger incandescent color (reddish purple). It just seems to me that some are better with day colors and some with night colors.

Im sorry for the treadjack, I just wanted to post what I was able to observe.

In terms of what you've said, the quality of an Alex (as you know) is judged by colour change/strength of colour change. If you have to amp up lighting to see any change then it's NOT good. Small stones can have the most phenomenal colour changing properties - size doesn't matter! http://www.davidwein.com/jewelry/alexandrite-white-diamond-and-white-gold-ring-00108805/overview/181/10/0
and http://www.davidwein.com/jewelry/alexandrite-white-diamond-and-white-gold-ring-00108560/overview/181/10/1

 

[ChrisA222]

I agree, it does not have strong color change. But it is real, and does have a very nicely saturated bluish-green to green daylight and mixed light colorway. I have to admit-I had to do the same candle trick to get my last Alex to go red-purple. So far, they don't compare to my garnets that change just going from CFL to desk lamp. No candle needed. I appreciate the Alex for its rarity but I much prefer my blue to red purpl garnets.

In terms of value, my last Alex was .40ct and sold for $1200 in a very simple 10k setting. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

 

[LD]

I agree, it does not have strong color change. But it is real, and does have a very nicely saturated bluish-green to green daylight and mixed light colorway. I have to admit-I had to do the same candle trick to get my last Alex to go red-purple. So far, they don't compare to my garnets that change just going from CFL to desk lamp. No candle needed. I appreciate the Alex for its rarity but I much prefer my blue to red purpl garnets.

In terms of value, my last Alex was .40ct and sold for $1200 in a very simple 10k setting. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Candle? Chris you shouldn't need anything to see colour change. You should literally move between light sources and bingo, it changes. You've seen the video I put on YouTube that shows what happens when I walk from one light source to another - and that's with a video on my camera that never picks up colour change correctly. I'm not surprised you prefer your garnets if you're having to resort to strong lighting to see the change. A good Alex will change exactly as a Garnet.

As for value, I absolutely agree with you that the demand for good Alex and prices paid have gone up and up and up! I have never seen them dip. By way of an example, I'm not going to put $ values on this, but one Alex I bought has increased in value (based on retail selling prices now, not what I'd expect to get if I sold it privately) over 8 times and that's conservative. I'm guessing it's the same for the others but I just fell across a comparison the other day and was flabbergasted!

 

[chrono]

I've not seen stones where one has to work that hard to see the colour change, even crappy ones. It just changes from one crappy colour to another equally crappy colour, but changes quickly and easily.

 

[ChrisA222]

It doesnt take a lot to see some color change...but if you want to see anything beyond a greyish color and resembling purple ..only the candles will work. It was the same with the last Alex I had, to see the best purple it had to be with candles, although that stone had much better incandescent color than this one. However, it was a greyish-green not the bluish-green daytime color of this particular stone.

Like I said, it doesnt help that the stone is small, at only 4mm, and windowed/shallow cut, so im having to focus on the color of the stone basically around the edges, as the center is so windowed.

All this lighting in the house now is CFL, aside from a GE softwhite bulb in my desk lamp.

Like I said--I appreciate it for its rarity and daytime color...but, not for its color change. It has nice variety in shades of blue green and green in daytime and mixed, but incandescent, it just is not that impressive. I wonder if it was cut properly if that would improve the color change, by getting rid of the windowing, but..we all know you don't want to recut an alexandrite, esp one thats only .22ct to begin with.

 

[chrono]

I agree that the colour change colours are far from ideal but it has nothing to do with size or cut. I've seen many around 4 mm and they change easily and well. Even if windowed, that portion should still change fully and easily because this property is inherent to the material itself.

 

[Darkwind]

Laureah21, I recently bought an alexandrite from multicolour, it just arrived today. Quite happy with my purchase, it was well packaged and as described. Received two gem certificates also - GIA & AIGS with my purchase to confirm it's a natural alex. As has been mentioned, alexandrite is a very rare stone, you're much better of buying from www.multicolour.com for the following reasons:

1. They have a large (probably the largest in the world) selection of alexandrites which is easily searchable online
2. They are a trusted vendor multiple people here have done busy with multicolour - if they say it's real then it's real - don't have to worry about fakes.
3. Most local jewellers have limited knowledge/inventory and even if they can get you a real alex, chances are you'll pay a premium for it.

That being said, as alexandrite's are rare and therefore good ones are quite costly. Keep that in mind if you decide to go this route. If you find something very cheap on multicolour, it's cheap for a reason - you get what you pay for. However, he does have some very nice ones too but expect to pay for them. Good luck to you!

 

[kenny]

I just went to multicolor.com and selected Alexandrite, then sorted by price.

The most expensive one is over a quarter of a million dollars.
Is this price a mistake?
Could it really cost that much?
The second most expensive one is 'only' $27,616.

http://www.multicolour.com/gallery/index.html