Alexandrite (multi-stone set)

Item Description

Alexandrite is the color changing variety of Chryosberyl. The very first Alexandrite crystals and gems came from Russia, and are valuable collectors stones today. The term "Alexandrite-type" color change is often used when a stone changes from a warmer hue i.e., pink to a cooler hue i.e., green or blue when expose to different light sources i.e., indoor lighting and sunlight. This color chage is extremely rare and is only exhibited in a few gems around the world. About 30 years ago, there was a discovery of some fine quality gem Alexandrite from the Girdlestone Farm in Zimbabwe. Here we have a 13 stone set of "Round Brilliant" cut stones that came out of an old stash of gems from a recent collection acquisition. These are some of the best Zimbabwean Alexandrite on the market in many years. These gems range from moderately included to very slightly included (they look better in person than the photos indicate), and exhibit a fairly decent color change as they shifts from a beautiful greenish (with a slight blue overtone) in sunlight to a lovely silvery-lilac color in indoor lighting. The stones show about an 85%-90% color change, and they were VERY difficult to photograph, but it honestly shows a different color is various temperature light sources. Top Alexandrite gems from contemporary localities can retail for a few thousand dollars per carat on the high end market, so a 13 stone set like this is certainly a worthwhile pickup for the starting bid.