The Rare Chrysoberyl Called Alexandrite

[PinkDiamond]

Russian Alexandrite by Peter Bancroft

Tokovaya Mines, Ekaterinburg, Russia

Editor’s Note: We are pleased to reprint this selection from Peter Bancroft’s classic book, Gem and Crystal Treasures (1984) Western Enterprises/Mineralogical Record, Fallbrook, CA, 488 pp.

"One of the best gem mines on earth is the seldom-visited Tokovaya. The little group of mines, located on the Tokovaya River which gently flows into the Pyshma on the Asiatic slope of the Urals, is about 91 kilometers east of Ekaterinburg, as the town was known until the Soviets named it Sverdlovsk [the town has now reverted to its original name]. Factories in and about Sverdlovsk manufacture politically sensitive articles, and visitors are discouraged from entering the region though travel is physically easy. Over the years the Ekaterinburg sector’s pegmatites and metamorphosed zones have been rich in amethyst, aquamarine, blue topaz, quartz, phenakite, chrysoberyl, emerald, and alexandrite. Nearly all gem varieties and species found there occur in fine crystals. Some are exceptional.

By the early 1800s, Ekaterinburg was already a fair-size city on the great road from Russia to Siberia It was named for Empress Catherine II, whose love affairs rated at least equal billing in Ekaterinburg along with stones from the new gem finds. Most of the city’s residents were connected in some way to mining. Russian coins were minted there, and large and efficient lapidary shops constituted a major industry. Cutters were expert at faceting, engraving seals, and carving gemstones. Prices were relatively low and street merchants annoyed visitors with offers of stones for sale..."

http://www.palagems.com/alexandrite_russia.htm

[PinkDiamond]

That's the colour change I love in Alex.

Wait til you see these Alexandrites. The multi-color one is fabulous.

Posted in full here, with permission from Omi Gems Blog. Thank you!!


Alexandrite - The Magic of Change
Posted on December 12, 2011 by omi gems

Alexandrite is one of the most amazing and rare gemstones ever discovered. It changes colors in different lighting, from hues of greens and blues in daylight to reds and purples in incandescent light. Alexandrite was discovered in April of 1834 in the Ural Mountains of Russia. It was named after Tsar Alexander II since it was discovered around the time of the future Tsar’s coming of age. Since red and green were the colors of Imperial Russia it quickly became the national stone of Russia, worn by royalty and nobility.

Fine alexandrite from Russia is very rare and only found in older estate pieces. In 1987 a new find of Alexandrite was discovered in Minais Gerais, Brazil. Although there are other areas where Alexandrite has been found, the new Brazilian source for alexandrite produces the finest gems seen since the 19th century. The most important factor in determining the value of an Alexandrite is the color change: the more dramatic the shift, the higher the value.

Alexandrite is a stone for connoisseurs and collectors but its story, connecting the mountains of Russia and the rainforest of Brazil, makes it an even more valuable treasure.

RussianAlexBlGrnDaylight.jpg (22.67 KiB) Viewed 246 times

Alexandrite as seen in daylight has more blue to green hues.

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Alexandrite as seen in incandescent light has more red to purple hues.

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Alexandrite in its rough state.

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A stunning 5.16 oval cut alexandrite displaying a rainbow of hues.

Brazilian alexandrites were first discovered near Hematita in the Minas Gerais State of Brazil during 1987 and quickly gained high international acclaim for the outstanding degree of color change exhibited by these extraordinary gems. Since the time of the original finds, the production of top-quality material has been small and sporadic. Brazilian alexandrites are known for their combination of high clarity and exceptional color change effect under any light source.

Check out some of these rare pictures from the Alexandrite mine in Brazil:

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Overlooking the Alexandrite mine near Hematita, Brazil.

AlexandriteMineHematitaBrazil2.jpg (21.43 KiB) Viewed 246 times

Layers of dirt are taken off the surface until the rough Alexandrite is reached.

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Once back at the workshop, rough Alexandrite is painstakenly sorted and graded piece-by-piece.

Link to article:
http://omigems.com/blog/2011/12/alexand ... of-change/
877.OMI.GEMS
color@omigems.com

[PinkDiamond]

8) love the multi-colored alexandrite, it's a knock-out!! wow! thanks for posting the article and the photos. pretty neat to see where alexandrite is mined in brazil! brazil has some of the most beautiful gems.

alex is so beautiful and it is a true beauty of nature not to mention its rarity, i especially liked the rainbow hues that were coming off that one alex, but thanks for the links very informing

*End of copied Rare Chrysoberyl Called Alexandrite thread.

[m76steve]

I was given the ok to post these pics of what im being told is pretty good examples of natural alexandrite, the pics show in daylight, white light, candle light & UV light in a dark room for the best effect. The stones are all natural & do show well.-steve...