your experience with multicolour.com?

[dm-smith]

Wow TL - that IS gorgeous! Definitely worth the name alexandrite if it's anything like that - and the price would suggest it is.

Yes, it's 12K/ct, but it's perfectly cut, decent size, great colorways, and 100% color change, if the photos are accurate. I hear AJS isn't the most accurate for photos though. However, if it is all that it claims to be, it's a gorgeous gem. It really puts all these others to shame IMO that are currently for sale. Now, that's really expensive, more than a two carat white diamond, so it's a major investment. However, it pains me to spend thousands per carat on such muddy looking gems. Maybe I'm just not feeling it with any of them. While there are certain gems that you can spend far less on and get a great stone, take blue sapphire for example, this just doesn't seem to be the case with alexandrite?????

Here's a pic of the AJS stone in question for $24K. It's 2.03 carats and has a GRS report.

yeah, but I've already got some sapphire and ruby already (my friend who gives me that tanzanite also gave me sapphire and ruby, but I don't want to wear these precious stone at work )

Back to the topic, I've decided to purchase one of these alex, but I don't know which one are the best. Do you mind to give some reviews regarding each stone's quality? can you rank the color change quality of these alex? Thanks

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax391aa/&1244716636
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/xax321ad/&930512007
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax373aa/&930512007
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax699aa/&1244716636
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/ax10143aa/&930512007

 

[T L]

Back to the topic, I've decided to purchase one of these alex, but I don't know which one are the best. Do you mind to give some reviews regarding each stone's quality? can you rank the color change quality of these alex? Thanks

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax391aa/&1244716636
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/xax321ad/&930512007
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax373aa/&930512007
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax699aa/&1244716636
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/ax10143aa/&930512007

1) Highly included, sleepy, has a cloud in the middle, and the green colorway is muddy
2) Horrible distracting bay door window. Color change is poor.
3) Another bay door window, green color way is muddy, and included. Color change is better than #2, but is still muddy.
4) Awful window, no video, so really cannot properly assess color change
5) Another window, and again no video. If you don't mind highly distracting windows, ask David for a video on this one. However, in the photo, the color change looks brownish. He notes "moderate color change" on this one.

You really have to be careful with alex in mixed lighting as well, because it can look very muddy in mixed lighting.

Here's another stone from MC.com, so you can compare. I'm not sure if this one is still available, or the price, but it is well cut, has nice tone, and each colorway is pleasant, and not muddy, especially in mixed lighting. There's an inclusion, but it's not too distracting IMO, at least not as distracting as a bay door window. The color change is also very good. The other problem with alexandrite is tone, you don't want one that's too dark as well.

http://vimeo.com/31598716

 

[dm-smith]

Back to the topic, I've decided to purchase one of these alex, but I don't know which one are the best. Do you mind to give some reviews regarding each stone's quality? can you rank the color change quality of these alex? Thanks

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax391aa/&1244716636
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/xax321ad/&930512007
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax373aa/&930512007
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax699aa/&1244716636
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/ax10143aa/&930512007

1) Highly included, sleepy, has a cloud in the middle, and the green colorway is muddy
2) Horrible distracting bay door window. Color change is poor.
3) Another bay door window, green color way is muddy, and included. Color change is better than #2, but is still muddy.
4) Awful window, no video, so really cannot properly assess color change
5) Another window, and again no video. If you don't mind highly distracting windows, ask David for a video on this one. However, in the photo, the color change looks brownish. He notes "moderate color change" on this one.

You really have to be careful with alex in mixed lighting as well, because it can look very muddy in mixed lighting.

Here's another stone from MC.com, so you can compare. I'm not sure if this one is still available, or the price, but it is well cut, has nice tone, and each colorway is pleasant, and not muddy, especially in mixed lighting. There's an inclusion, but it's not too distracting IMO, at least not as distracting as a bay door window. The color change is also very good. The other problem with alexandrite is tone, you don't want one that's too dark as well.

http://vimeo.com/31598716

is there any way to contact david? I tried to email MC's customer service several days ago, but I haven't got any replied. Honestly, I don't have time to call mc directly due to time difference

 

[LD]

Wow TL - that IS gorgeous! Definitely worth the name alexandrite if it's anything like that - and the price would suggest it is.

Yes, it's 12K/ct, but it's perfectly cut, decent size, great colorways, and 100% color change, if the photos are accurate. I hear AJS isn't the most accurate for photos though. However, if it is all that it claims to be, it's a gorgeous gem. It really puts all these others to shame IMO that are currently for sale. Now, that's really expensive, more than a two carat white diamond, so it's a major investment. However, it pains me to spend thousands per carat on such muddy looking gems. Maybe I'm just not feeling it with any of them. While there are certain gems that you can spend far less on and get a great stone, take blue sapphire for example, this just doesn't seem to be the case with alexandrite?????

Here's a pic of the AJS stone in question for $24K. It's 2.03 carats and has a GRS report.

yeah, but I've already got some sapphire and ruby already (my friend who gives me that tanzanite also gave me sapphire and ruby, but I don't want to wear these precious stone at work )

Back to the topic, I've decided to purchase one of these alex, but I don't know which one are the best. Do you mind to give some reviews regarding each stone's quality? can you rank the color change quality of these alex? Thanks

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax391aa/&1244716636 The daylight colour on this one will look very gray AND it has a hazy look to it - which some Alex do - but that will enhance the colour change. Although the difference between daylight and incandescent colours is very different (and therefore striking), it's not a good example of an Alex and you can see that David says "if you like these colours" or words to that effect. It's not a traditional Alex and, for me, the daylight colour is off-putting. If you are happy to see lots of grey in your stones then this might be one to look at.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/xax321ad/&930512007 Huge window that is unlikely to close on setting. This has been cut to retain weight. Distracting inclusions and one potential worrying one at 12 o'clock as the stone turns with its back to you. The incandescent colour is also quite wishy washy.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax373aa/&930512007 The cut is reasonable but I can see a patch of haziness which is dominating both photos and apparent in the video as well. It's the nicest looking of all the stones but the haziness would worry me. Interestingly in Alex, when you see this, the colour change is usually enhanced in those areas.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax699aa/&1244716636 Gigantic window and wishy washy. Pass on this one.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/ax10143aa/&930512007 Moderate colour change which is NOT what you want. Also, the incandescent colour is too brown to be considered a good example.


BTW - from experience, the photos at AJS are enhanced to make stones look more vibrant. I suspect very strongly that the pear that TL linked to is beautiful but is more likely to look like the pear I own in real life.

 

[T L]

Did you try his direct email, [email protected]?

 

[Marlow]

CHRONO!!!!!!!

This is exactly the color of the CC sapphires from east africa - may be you remember!!!!

I paid 10 EUR pct for them

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/yax391aa/&1244716636

 

[Marlow]

The hazyness insome of these indian alex will produce a cateye cut as a cabochon.

 

[Marlow]

http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=14013

wIll be expensive ....

 

[T L]

http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=14013

wIll be expensive ....

Kind of dark though, don't you think? Tone is also a really important feature in alexandrite, and dark tone makes for a blackish looking stone, despite the strength of color change.

Take this one in this ebay listing for example, the artificial light colorway is almost black, even though the color change is strong. It's very unattractive to me. The halo setting and enclosed basket probably doesn't help light flow either.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fine-Alexandrite-Custom-Ring-GIA-Certified-/301315489290?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item4627cd7e0a

 

[dm-smith]

what do you consider moderate and strong color change?

 

[T L]

what do you consider moderate and strong color change?

You should ask David this question. Perhaps he gauges it on percent of color change. For example, to me (I'm not David), a strong color change should be 90% or more. Moderate might be a lesser percent to him.

 

[dm-smith]

what do you consider moderate and strong color change?

You should ask David this question. Perhaps he gauges it on percent of color change. For example, to me (I'm not David), a strong color change should be 90% or more. Moderate might be a lesser percent to him.

do you have any recommendation of other reputable vendor who has wide range of alex in his inventory?

 

[Marlow]

http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=14013

wIll be expensive ....

Kind of dark though, don't you think? Tone is also a really important feature in alexandrite, and dark tone makes for a blackish looking stone, despite the strength of color change.

Take this one in this ebay listing for example, the artificial light colorway is almost black, even though the color change is strong. It's very unattractive to me. The halo setting and enclosed basket probably doesn't help light flow either.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fine-Alexandrite-Custom-Ring-GIA-Certified-/301315489290?pt=US_Fine_Rings&hash=item4627cd7e0a

Kind of dark ..... Yes but I know this material and I am a hematita fan!!!! 3/4 ct - maybe still a good stone? And expensive...

The Ebay - look at the pictures!!!! two different metal colors!!

 

[LD]

what do you consider moderate and strong color change?

You judge this with your eyes. There is no graph that says "this is moderate" etc.

A strong colour change is when the whole gem changes and the colour it changes to is more at the vivid end of the spectrum (see my earlier post where I described this).

For example - this is a strong colour change. In real life, the colours are stronger and much more vivid. So you can compare, I'm attaching a photo of the incandescent colour change and David's photos.

 

[LD]

I've just been looking through my photos to see if I can show you something that has less of a change but the problem is that the camera lies with Alex and it's incredibly difficult to capture the true colour change. However, this is a stone that a friend of mine gave to me and made into a ring. It has very little colour change but these are his photos and sort of demonstrate a weak change. It perhaps (in real life) looks marginally better than the colour change photo suggests but not much. In my defence, it was free!

 

[Marlow]

dm-smith

Hope you understand that I want to help to find a fine alexandrite - MC is a very good vendor!!! But at the moment no interesting alexandrite.

I know this vendor from Inhorgenta - http://www.goerlitzgem.com/html_englisch/frameset_englisch.html

Maybe you contact him - but don't expect bargains!

 

[LD]

Just to reinforce what Marlow has said ..............

15 years ago it was easy to buy very good quality Alex - good sizes, good prices, good clarity, fab colour change. Then a few natural disasters occurred around the world and mining stopped. For around 5-8 years there was virtually nothing coming out of the ground that was of any quality at all. There is a small amount of mining now but again, the quality just isn't there. This can happen unfortunately.

So consequently, the good alex that is around is incredibly expensive and it's a competitive market. Stones have whizzed up in price (almost quadrupling) and that's if you can get them.

David at Multicolour has a passion for Alex and has the largest stock of any supplier. A few years ago he had some old stock on his site and the prices were very competitive but over the past 24 months stones have been snapped up. Now, what you see on his website, are not great stones unfortunately.

The one at AJS (the pear) that TL linked to, is the nicest I have seen for ages (even bearing in mind that the colour has probably been enhanced in the photo). However, you can see how valuable it is because of the price and honestly, that could probably sell for more

If your friend's Alex looked like that, then I would swap with him because it's one of the few gemstones that, for top class examples, does increase in value.

Just to reinforce that, David offered to buy back some of the Alex I bought from him way back when ......... no chance!!!!!

So, do you want to give us definitive parameters of what you MUST have and a price and we'll help you find something. If it can't be found (because of those parameters) then something will have to give. Like Marlow said, we all want to make sure you get a great stone for your budget and I'm definitely not trying to put you off but just want to explain the reality of the situation

 

[Marlow]

Just to reinforce what Marlow has said ..............

15 years ago it was easy to buy very good quality Alex - good sizes, good prices, good clarity, fab colour change. Then a few natural disasters occurred around the world and mining stopped. For around 5-8 years there was virtually nothing coming out of the ground that was of any quality at all. There is a small amount of mining now but again, the quality just isn't there. This can happen unfortunately.

So consequently, the good alex that is around is incredibly expensive and it's a competitive market. Stones have whizzed up in price (almost quadrupling) and that's if you can get them.

David at Multicolour has a passion for Alex and has the largest stock of any supplier. A few years ago he had some old stock on his site and the prices were very competitive but over the past 24 months stones have been snapped up. Now, what you see on his website, are not great stones unfortunately.

The one at AJS (the pear) that TL linked to, is the nicest I have seen for ages (even bearing in mind that the colour has probably been enhanced in the photo). However, you can see how valuable it is because of the price and honestly, that could probably sell for more

If your friend's Alex looked like that, then I would swap with him because it's one of the few gemstones that, for top class examples, does increase in value.

Just to reinforce that, David offered to buy back some of the Alex I bought from him way back when ......... no chance!!!!!

So, do you want to give us definitive parameters of what you MUST have and a price and we'll help you find something. If it can't be found (because of those parameters) then something will have to give. Like Marlow said, we all want to make sure you get a great stone for your budget and I'm definitely not trying to put you off but just want to explain the reality of the situation

YES!!!

dm-smith - look at the topic from saracen !!

We had so much fun!!! It is a bit like buying myself a top gem!!! And saracn found a extremely beautiful stone!!!

 

[dm-smith]

oh my, thanks a lot guys

I no longer can trade my harmonica pistol with that stone. Things happened and I was forced to sell that pistol last year. Even if I still have that pistol with me, there's no way I can trade it with that alex. it's in mint condition, more rare than Fabbri Over-Under (it's one of the finest and extremely rare rifle), and has a beautiful carving on the silver. I bet you can't find such harmonica pistol even in any museum across the States.

Back to the topic, how much do you think I should offer that stone for? I don't mind paying some top $ for that stone

The daylight color is similar to this
http://www.palagems.com/Images/Bancroft_Russia_Alexandrite/alexandrite_1.29ct.jpg
while the color under incandescent light is similar to the one on the ten clock:
http://www.parikramajewels.com/images/products/gems/Alexandrite.jpg

but the stone has several inclusions (the inclusion are similar to the inclusion in the right side of this stone http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/ax10143aa/&930512007) Plus one extra crack in the middle of the stone

Unfortunately, he did not allow me to take any photo of that stone

Basically, I have budget up to 100k, but I don't want to spend it on my first alex. I was thinking to buy a cheap alex first; so I will know whether the color change effect will disturb me or not. You wont believe it, but I used to put several diamond with my tanzanite, but it distract my concentration on job. So I change the ring design to 100% white gold

One more question? Is MC really that reputable? Honestly, I'm not comfortable with the idea of buying anything online. That's why I never buy from amazon.com In this case, however, I've been looking around many gem dealer, but none of them has any alex or cc garnet that interests me

 

[GregS]

Is it me or has the price for Alexandrite gone up in the past year? Aside from a few small Brazilian pears, I haven't seen any nice stones listed lately. I'd have to agree with Marlow, go for quality, not quantity.

I paid roughly $4k for my Alexandrite, it's a .92ct oval and I bought roughly 2 years ago from them (Multicolour). Prices really have gone up, I'm glad I got mine when I did.

 

[LD]

oh my, thanks a lot guys

I no longer can trade my harmonica pistol with that stone. Things happened and I was forced to sell that pistol last year. Even if I still have that pistol with me, there's no way I can trade it with that alex. it's in mint condition, more rare than Fabbri Over-Under (it's one of the finest and extremely rare rifle), and has a beautiful carving on the silver. I bet you can't find such harmonica pistol even in any museum across the States.

Back to the topic, how much do you think I should offer that stone for? I don't mind paying some top $ for that stone

The daylight color is similar to this
http://www.palagems.com/Images/Bancroft_Russia_Alexandrite/alexandrite_1.29ct.jpg
while the color under incandescent light is similar to the one on the ten clock:
http://www.parikramajewels.com/images/products/gems/Alexandrite.jpg

but the stone has several inclusions (the inclusion are similar to the inclusion in the right side of this stone http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/ax10143aa/&930512007) Plus one extra crack in the middle of the stone

Unfortunately, he did not allow me to take any photo of that stone

Basically, I have budget up to 100k, but I don't want to spend it on my first alex. I was thinking to buy a cheap alex first; so I will know whether the color change effect will disturb me or not. You wont believe it, but I used to put several diamond with my tanzanite, but it distract my concentration on job. So I change the ring design to 100% white gold

One more question? Is MC really that reputable? Honestly, I'm not comfortable with the idea of buying anything online. That's why I never buy from amazon.com In this case, however, I've been looking around many gem dealer, but none of them has any alex or cc garnet that interests me

Yes Multicolour is 100% reliable.

How much should you offer for the stone you've seen? Absolutely no idea. It would depend on colour, cut, carat weight and colour change which, unless you've seen a ton of Alex, you won't be able to accurately assess (and I don't mean to be disparaging saying that). The first Alex I bought I thought was phenomenal but after seeing thousands of Alex over the years I know that's not the case now.

With a budget of 100k you can buy an absolutely beautiful top class Alex. I would urge you to contact David at Multicolour, say you have a budget of up to $50k and see what he comes back with OR buy the one from AJS because that has promise. IF the colour change doesn't WOW you then AJS have a good returns policy. I would however say that in terms of expectations I would tone it down a notch with that stone because I'm convinced it's not as vibrant as the photos suggest. I suspect it looks very similar to mine (the one I posted earlier).

There's absolutely no point in buying a cheaper Alex because cheap Alex looks nothing like a good one. A good one will blow your mind. An average one will just make you go "ok, it changes colour and I like it".

Hope that helps.

 

[T L]

oh my, thanks a lot guys

I no longer can trade my harmonica pistol with that stone. Things happened and I was forced to sell that pistol last year. Even if I still have that pistol with me, there's no way I can trade it with that alex. it's in mint condition, more rare than Fabbri Over-Under (it's one of the finest and extremely rare rifle), and has a beautiful carving on the silver. I bet you can't find such harmonica pistol even in any museum across the States.

Back to the topic, how much do you think I should offer that stone for? I don't mind paying some top $ for that stone

The daylight color is similar to this
http://www.palagems.com/Images/Bancroft_Russia_Alexandrite/alexandrite_1.29ct.jpg
while the color under incandescent light is similar to the one on the ten clock:
http://www.parikramajewels.com/images/products/gems/Alexandrite.jpg

but the stone has several inclusions (the inclusion are similar to the inclusion in the right side of this stone http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/single/alexandrite/ax10143aa/&930512007) Plus one extra crack in the middle of the stone

Unfortunately, he did not allow me to take any photo of that stone

Basically, I have budget up to 100k, but I don't want to spend it on my first alex. I was thinking to buy a cheap alex first; so I will know whether the color change effect will disturb me or not. You wont believe it, but I used to put several diamond with my tanzanite, but it distract my concentration on job. So I change the ring design to 100% white gold

One more question? Is MC really that reputable? Honestly, I'm not comfortable with the idea of buying anything online. That's why I never buy from amazon.com In this case, however, I've been looking around many gem dealer, but none of them has any alex or cc garnet that interests me

Then I would get a synthetic alexandrite to start with, (not synthetic color change corundum, but a laboratory alex), before spending thousands on a sub par and unattractive stone.

MC.com is a very reputable vendor.

 

[T L]

There's absolutely no point in buying a cheaper Alex because cheap Alex looks nothing like a good one. A good one will blow your mind. An average one will just make you go "ok, it changes colour and I like it".

Hope that helps.

Not to mention all the brown to yellow color shift chrysoberyl on the market that is being touted as alexandrite. Very disconcerting.

 

[Marlow]

If you are able to spend 100K then buy a ticket to Basel World!!!

 

[T L]

If you are able to spend 100K then buy a ticket to Basel World!!!

There you go! I like how you think!

 

[Marlow]

If you are able to spend 100K then buy a ticket to Basel World!!!

There you go! I like how you think!

And I know who would help her/him!!!

 

[Marlow]

Is it me or has the price for Alexandrite gone up in the past year? Aside from a few small Brazilian pears, I haven't seen any nice stones listed lately. I'd have to agree with Marlow, go for quality, not quantity.

I paid roughly $4k for my Alexandrite, it's a .92ct oval and I bought roughly 2 years ago from them (Multicolour). Prices really have gone up, I'm glad I got mine when I did.

MORE PICTURES PLEASE

PLEASE tell me how close the pictures are to the real color?? 4K is "cheap" - 8K would be o.k. to!!!

Brazilian or India??

 

[GregS]

Is it me or has the price for Alexandrite gone up in the past year? Aside from a few small Brazilian pears, I haven't seen any nice stones listed lately. I'd have to agree with Marlow, go for quality, not quantity.

I paid roughly $4k for my Alexandrite, it's a .92ct oval and I bought roughly 2 years ago from them (Multicolour). Prices really have gone up, I'm glad I got mine when I did.

MORE PICTURES PLEASE

PLEASE tell me how close the pictures are to the real color?? 4K is "cheap" - 8K would be o.k. to!!!

Brazilian or India??

The colors are spot on and it's Brazilian, but it suffers from quite a bit of extinction. I tried taking pictures of it but gave up.

 

[Marlow]

Here are so many alexandrite topics - think the demand skyrocked!!

The only thing I " dislike" - it is sooooo fine - a bit unreal - but I am really jealous!!!

The size is perfect - a 1 ct + would be much more expensive!

 

[LoversKites]

I don't feel like I can recommend an expensive alexandrite at all but what does everyone think about this one?
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/alexandrite/zx161ab/&930512007

It's hard to tell if it has a window and how bad it is because of the titled angle (not head on) -- I'd guess a rather small one, possibly acceptable. David describes the cut as good.
The colour change is strong and it seems to have that lovely Indian greenish blue colour, not dark either. The price is not as high as some of the stones brought up here at 3.5k for over 1ct.
What am I missing?

OP, if I were buying an alex with a 50k-100k budget I'd spend a long time looking, checking out alex at gem shows, contacting various vendors to understand what is available, and make an educated and confident purchase when the right stone comes along. The fun is in the chase