What can be considered as a fine alexandrite?

[Cognition]

I know alexandrite is a difficult stone. What can be considered as a fine alexandrite (in general)? Let's start by eliminating all those color shift chrysoberyl and all those moderate color change alex.

The indian alex typically has the best daylight color, but the color under incandescent light usually extremely brown. I think a saturated bluish green to extremely brownish can be considered as strong color change right? However, the night color is not desirable.

The brazilian alex typically has strong color change and pretty saturated blue-green to purple. However, 99% of fine brazilian alex are too dark. it definitely will not look great as a jewelry piece.

The tanzanian, madagascar, and ceylon alex has a muddy bluish green daylight color, and it change to muddy purple.

Basically, will you sacrifice daylight color, incandescent color, or tone? As a friendly reminder, we are not talking about the finest alex here. The finest alex is extremely rare. I have only seen two in my life. They were an indian and a tanzanian alex. However, they were once in a lifetime stone. Actually, there is another one currently available, but I have not seen it in person, and the price is 100k/ct



P.s I usually use a lighter as my incandescent light, and those yellow led light bulb is not really friendly with alex. Do you have any other recommendation for incandescent light source?

 

[demantoidz]

If we assume the options to choose from are as you laid them out (dark Brazilian, poor incandescent Indian, other origins are muddy), then the darker Brazilian material is probably what I would pick.

But exceptions exist. Not saying these are 'perfect' but some would prefer them to the dark Brazilian material.
Indian

Alexandrite Oval 3.330 CTS | YAX856aa | Multicolour.com

Natural Alexandrite Oval weighing 3.330 CTS in Single loose gemstones category at Multicolour.com

www.multicolour.com

Tanzanian

4.5ct alexandrite ring

This ring with a main stone of 4.5ct Tanzania alexandrite . Very high clarity, almost flawless under a 10x magnifying glass. Blue-green under natural light, green under LED light, blue-green under 5500K photography light, purple-pink under incandescent light. Strong red fluorescence under UV...

www.pricescope.com

If you think regular alexandrite is hard to buy, try find a nice cats eye alexandrite
Make that a nice Russian cats eye alexandrite... a matched pair!

P.s I usually use a lighter as my incandescent light, and those yellow led light bulb is not really friendly with alex. Do you have any other recommendation for incandescent light source?

Warm light in the oven is incandescent (at least around here). Just be careful not to heat-treat your alex
Candle light is impractical but another option.

 

[chrono]

With my being predominantly in mixed lighting, muddiness is what bothers me the most. Doesn't need to have the best daylight or best incandescent colour. Just not too dark and not too muddy.

 

[Shiny Black Cat]

I know alexandrite is a difficult stone. What can be considered as a fine alexandrite (in general)? Let's start by eliminating all those color shift chrysoberyl and all those moderate color change alex.

The indian alex typically has the best daylight color, but the color under incandescent light usually extremely brown. I think a saturated bluish green to extremely brownish can be considered as strong color change right? However, the night color is not desirable.

The brazilian alex typically has strong color change and pretty saturated blue-green to purple. However, 99% of fine brazilian alex are too dark. it definitely will not look great as a jewelry piece.

The tanzanian, madagascar, and ceylon alex has a muddy bluish green daylight color, and it change to muddy purple.

Basically, will you sacrifice daylight color, incandescent color, or tone? As a friendly reminder, we are not talking about the finest alex here. The finest alex is extremely rare. I have only seen two in my life. They were an indian and a tanzanian alex. However, they were once in a lifetime stone. Actually, there is another one currently available, but I have not seen it in person, and the price is 100k/ct



P.s I usually use a lighter as my incandescent light, and those yellow led light bulb is not really friendly with alex. Do you have any other recommendation for incandescent light source?

you didn"t mention and describe color change of fine Russian Alexandrite. Why? is it really impossible to find it ? or people who have them in collection don"t want to post them? l would like to see photos.

If we assume the options to choose from are as you laid them out (dark Brazilian, poor incandescent Indian, other origins are muddy), then the darker Brazilian material is probably what I would pick.

But exceptions exist. Not saying these are 'perfect' but some would prefer them to the dark Brazilian material.
Indian

Alexandrite Oval 3.330 CTS | YAX856aa | Multicolour.com

Natural Alexandrite Oval weighing 3.330 CTS in Single loose gemstones category at Multicolour.com

www.multicolour.com

Tanzanian

4.5ct alexandrite ring

This ring with a main stone of 4.5ct Tanzania alexandrite . Very high clarity, almost flawless under a 10x magnifying glass. Blue-green under natural light, green under LED light, blue-green under 5500K photography light, purple-pink under incandescent light. Strong red fluorescence under UV...

www.pricescope.com

If you think regular alexandrite is hard to buy, try find a nice cats eye alexandrite
Make that a nice Russian cats eye alexandrite... a matched pair!



Warm light in the oven is incandescent (at least around here). Just be careful not to heat-treat your alex
Candle light is impractical but another option.

 

[Cognition]

If we assume the options to choose from are as you laid them out (dark Brazilian, poor incandescent Indian, other origins are muddy), then the darker Brazilian material is probably what I would pick.

But exceptions exist. Not saying these are 'perfect' but some would prefer them to the dark Brazilian material.
Indian

Alexandrite Oval 3.330 CTS | YAX856aa | Multicolour.com

Natural Alexandrite Oval weighing 3.330 CTS in Single loose gemstones category at Multicolour.com

www.multicolour.com

Tanzanian

4.5ct alexandrite ring

This ring with a main stone of 4.5ct Tanzania alexandrite . Very high clarity, almost flawless under a 10x magnifying glass. Blue-green under natural light, green under LED light, blue-green under 5500K photography light, purple-pink under incandescent light. Strong red fluorescence under UV...

www.pricescope.com

If you think regular alexandrite is hard to buy, try find a nice cats eye alexandrite
Make that a nice Russian cats eye alexandrite... a matched pair!



Warm light in the oven is incandescent (at least around here). Just be careful not to heat-treat your alex
Candle light is impractical but another option.

I think I have seen the multicolour's alex. However, it was set on a ring. Definitely the finest daylight color but I do not really like all other aspect of that stone. the 4.5 and smaller alex is cray russian alex is even harder to fine esp the cleaner one. I have seen indian and brazilian cat's eye alex, not sure if russian cats eye exist tho

With my being predominantly in mixed lighting, muddiness is what bothers me the most. Doesn't need to have the best daylight or best incandescent colour. Just not too dark and not too muddy.

interesting pov indeed

you didn"t mention and describe color change of fine Russian Alexandrite. Why? is it really impossible to find it ? or people who have them in collection don"t want to post them? l would like to see photos.

russian alex is simple non existent. And most of them are heavily included. and the color change is not that much different from alex from other localities. Then there is also a huge problem with the price

 

[demantoidz]

you didn"t mention and describe color change of fine Russian Alexandrite. Why? is it really impossible to find it ? or people who have them in collection don"t want to post them? l would like to see photos.

Most of the available Russian material is very gray/brown, included, or weak CC. Its not impossible to find.

Here's two examples of low quality ones:

1.30 carat, Purple, Russian Alexandrite, Round Shape, None, ICL, SKU G-2930

1.30 carat, Intense Bluish Green Purple, Round shape Alexandrite, graded by ICL. An excellent Purple Gemstone that is a really beautiful stone. For more information about this item please contact our customer service department.

www.leibish.com

1.24 carat, Red, Russian Alexandrite, Oval Shape, None, ICL, SKU G-3874

1.24 carat, Vivid Brownish Green Red, Oval shape Alexandrite, graded by ICL. An excellent Red Gemstone that's simply dazzling to the eye. For more information about this item please contact our customer service department.

www.leibish.com

Here's an example of a decent one:

Alexandrite - 0,96 ct - GemStore24 | GemStones and Services

The camera can`t catch the greenish daylight color correctly. The product picture is approximately the same magnification as a view trough the 10x loupe.

www.gemstore-24.com

Here's an example of a higher quality one (90-100% CC per AGL) that sold a couple years ago:

Very Rare Russian Alexandrite and Diamond Engagement Ring at 1stDibs | russian alexandrite rings, alexandrite engagement ring, diamond and alexandrite ring

View this item and discover similar for sale at 1stDibs - This antique Russian 14K gold ring, circa 1900, was later set with a superb and very rare Russian alexandrite from the Ural Mountains and a transitional

www.1stdibs.com

Famous photo of a high quality Russian alex. from http://www.palagems.com/alexandrite-russia

 

[demantoidz]

I think I have seen the multicolour's alex. However, it was set on a ring. Definitely the finest daylight color but I do not really like all other aspect of that stone. the 4.5 and smaller alex is cray russian alex is even harder to fine esp the cleaner one. I have seen indian and brazilian cat's eye alex, not sure if russian cats eye exist tho

Here's a Russian cat's eye alex. However, my previous comment on them was intended as a joke.

https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2007/magnificient-jewels-and-jadeite-hk0255/lot.1074.html

 

[Shiny Black Cat]

If we assume the options to choose from are as you laid them out (dark Brazilian, poor incandescent Indian, other origins are muddy), then the darker Brazilian material is probably what I would pick.

But exceptions exist. Not saying these are 'perfect' but some would prefer them to the dark Brazilian material.
Indian

Alexandrite Oval 3.330 CTS | YAX856aa | Multicolour.com

Natural Alexandrite Oval weighing 3.330 CTS in Single loose gemstones category at Multicolour.com

www.multicolour.com

Tanzanian

4.5ct alexandrite ring

This ring with a main stone of 4.5ct Tanzania alexandrite . Very high clarity, almost flawless under a 10x magnifying glass. Blue-green under natural light, green under LED light, blue-green under 5500K photography light, purple-pink under incandescent light. Strong red fluorescence under UV...

www.pricescope.com

If you think regular alexandrite is hard to buy, try find a nice cats eye alexandrite
Make that a nice Russian cats eye alexandrite... a matched pair!



Warm light in the oven is incandescent (at least around here). Just be careful not to heat-treat your alex
Candle light is impractical but another

I think I have seen the multicolour's alex. However, it was set on a ring. Definitely the finest daylight color but I do not really like all other aspect of that stone. the 4.5 and smaller alex is cray russian alex is even harder to fine esp the cleaner one. I have seen indian and brazilian cat's eye alex, not sure if russian cats eye exist tho


interesting pov indeed



russian alex is simple non existent. And most of them are heavily included. and the color change is not that much different from alex from other localities. Then there is also a huge problem with the price

what do you mean by ,,non existent,,? what is the problem with price if there is not difference from other Alexandrites? they are expensive for some reason.

 

[Voodoo Child]

Everyone focuses on Russian or Brazilian Alexandrite. African Alexandrite can be just as nice, for a lot less money. These pictures were all taken with an iPhone, no filters, no changing any settings after the pic was taken, in various lighting conditions. Literally shoot and post. I’d say the images are 95% true to how the ring looks IRL.

 

[Cognition]

Most of the available Russian material is very gray/brown, included, or weak CC. Its not impossible to find.

Here's two examples of low quality ones:

1.30 carat, Purple, Russian Alexandrite, Round Shape, None, ICL, SKU G-2930

1.30 carat, Intense Bluish Green Purple, Round shape Alexandrite, graded by ICL. An excellent Purple Gemstone that is a really beautiful stone. For more information about this item please contact our customer service department.

www.leibish.com

1.24 carat, Red, Russian Alexandrite, Oval Shape, None, ICL, SKU G-3874

1.24 carat, Vivid Brownish Green Red, Oval shape Alexandrite, graded by ICL. An excellent Red Gemstone that's simply dazzling to the eye. For more information about this item please contact our customer service department.

www.leibish.com

Here's an example of a decent one:

Alexandrite - 0,96 ct - GemStore24 | GemStones and Services

The camera can`t catch the greenish daylight color correctly. The product picture is approximately the same magnification as a view trough the 10x loupe.

www.gemstore-24.com

Here's an example of a higher quality one (90-100% CC per AGL) that sold a couple years ago:

Very Rare Russian Alexandrite and Diamond Engagement Ring at 1stDibs | russian alexandrite rings, alexandrite engagement ring, diamond and alexandrite ring

View this item and discover similar for sale at 1stDibs - This antique Russian 14K gold ring, circa 1900, was later set with a superb and very rare Russian alexandrite from the Ural Mountains and a transitional

www.1stdibs.com

Famous photo of a high quality Russian alex. from http://www.palagems.com/alexandrite-russia

or very expensive like this crazy expensive russian alex:

https://www.raregemcollection.com/shop/eo_gemstone_shape_cat/eo_diamond_round_shape_cat/round-shape-natural-alexandrite-from-brazil-gia-1-14-cts/

Here's a Russian cat's eye alex. However, my previous comment on them was intended as a joke.

https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2007/magnificient-jewels-and-jadeite-hk0255/lot.1074.html

wow never know russian produce cats eye alex.

what do you mean by ,,non existent,,? what is the problem with price if there is not difference from other Alexandrites? they are expensive for some reason.

The same with kashmir sapphire. you can get madagascar kashmir type sapphire at 80-95% off kashmir price tag. They have the same color, sleepiness, and performance in all type of lighting. The kashmir tag has the crazy premium.

Everyone focuses on Russian or Brazilian Alexandrite. African Alexandrite can be just as nice, for a lot less money. These pictures were all taken with an iPhone, no filters, no changing any settings after the pic was taken, in various lighting conditions. Literally shoot and post. I’d say the images are 95% true to how the ring looks IRL.

well the best tanzanian that i have seen can rival the best indian alex. However, 99% of african alex in the market is quite muddy. definitely not the kinda of alex that I want. btw yours is beautiful

 

[Voodoo Child]

well the best tanzanian that i have seen can rival the best indian alex. However, 99% of african alex in the market is quite muddy. definitely not the kinda of alex that I want. btw yours is beautiful

I think people have overly idealistic expectations for Alexandrite. If it’s not eye clean 100% color change from green blue to red-purple with an origin of Brazil or Russia, they don’t want it, or act like it’s not worth spending money on. You can get some beautiful stones that aren’t “perfect” and enjoy the fact that you have a very rare gem with unusual properties that a lot of people haven’t heard of, much less seen, if they aren’t into gems. 99% of the general public are going to look at a less than perfect Alexandrite and say, “cool!” My wife’s center stone falls into the “less than perfect” category, yet she gets nothing but compliments on it, often from complete strangers.