What do we know about alexandrite, besides the beautiful story of getting this name?
Indeed, in the 19th century, this variety of chrysoberyl was presented in honor of the age of majority to Alexander II and therefore named after him. For most people, knowledge of a gem ends there. Now is the time to fill in the gaps and learn more about a truly unique stone and its uses today.
Content:
External appearance - the visiting card of the stone
The unique appearance of the stone is largely due to its chemical composition. The jewelery type of chrysoberyl is beryllium tetroxide. In its composition, it contains an admixture of iron and chromium in various volumes. It is the amount of impurities that determines the color.
The ability of the nugget to change its color is surprising. It is truly unique, because the crystal lattice is arranged in a special way and, under the influence of illumination, the human eye receives completely different data, so our brain interprets information about color in a new way. In science, this is called the reverse effect or pleochroism.
At some point, the nugget is black and blue, then it takes on a malachite hue and even turns purple with various shades of blue. Under artificial light, it has a purple hue.
The ability to change color is the calling card of a nugget. Alexandrite cannot be classified as an ordinary piece of jewelry that can often be found on the shelves of jewelry stores in various products.
Buying jewelry with real alexandrite is a great success, and it costs a lot of money. Therefore, it can rightfully be called the stone of aristocrats.
Varieties
Note that talking about the types of alexandrite is possible only if we are dealing with a natural representative. Artificial alexandrite is of little interest to jewelers in itself, so little attention is paid to it.
But if it comes to the original, then here knowledgeable masters can talk for hours about certain varieties of gem.
They prefer to distinguish species depending on the place of extraction, because this plays a key role in its visual characteristics:
- Indian differs in a bluish tint in the daytime, and from some angles you can catch a barely discernible green.
- Ural - such a nugget has a pronounced green hue, close to malachite or emerald, but in the evening light it acquires a purple-purple hue and deep transparency. The green tint in the Ural stones is most pronounced, in other deposits it appears very dimly and with impurities. Green is a rather rare species and a rare find.
- Brazilian has deeper transitions, less contrast and looks calmer. In daylight it takes on an olive green hue.
- Harvested in Sri Lanka, it is as if it was made for the light of lamps and spotlights. This is the most profitable option for public receptions and parties that take place under artificial lighting. In the light of lamps, alexandrite will play out with amazing colors, becoming brownish interspersed with a purple hue.
Properties and meaning
Its unique features did not leave it unnoticed in terms of studying its properties. It is customary to highlight magical characteristics and healing properties. Extraordinary duality and color change definitely attract good luck - so predictors and astrologers believe.
People who are unlucky in various situations should try alexandrite - it will clearly find a common language with fortune.
Miners in Ceylon regard its depth and transparency as a symbol of longevity and prosperity. On the road of the one who wears alexandrite, there will be no obstacles and all failures in life will be bypassed. Hindus associate the changeable color with its supernatural ability to influence the fate of a person.
According to magicians, with its color schemes, it signals the mood of the owner, and can also signal future changes - good or bad. In the eyes of Europeans, it is a symbol of good luck and wealth.
The healing properties are associated with the cardiovascular system and hematopoiesis. For patients who have problems with blood pressure and diseases of the blood system, it is also recommended to wear alexandrite. He is able to give courage, relieve fatigue and relieve depression.
Alexandrite for the signs of the zodiac
Astrologers believe that the mineral is most suitable for Pisces, Leo, Gemini and Scorpio. It will not hurt to wear products and Aries. This predisposition is due to the fact that the nature of the representatives of these signs is quite contradictory, they often have difficulties with communication.
With the help of alexandrite, it becomes easier for representatives of these signs to cope with negative feelings, irascibility, internal contradictions and other character traits.
It will allow you to avoid conflicts and maintain friendly relations with colleagues and loved ones.
How to choose
It is not difficult to choose a nugget when it comes to natural stone. Jewelry with alexandrite is already a masterpiece, but it cannot be cheap. An exclusive with a nugget is very expensive.
An already processed mineral in a ring or earrings changes its shade, but when choosing a product, jewelers pay attention to the following indicators:
- the main color of the nugget;
- finished size;
- the correctness of the geometric shape;
- shape and quality of cut;
- crystal purity.
If the so-called "feathers" are noticeable in the thickness (they look like cracks and are easily visible through the thickness), then you should not be afraid - this is not a flaw, but features of the formation of the rock for a long time.
Most originals have such "feathers", but you can choose a product with a cut where the cracks are not visible. When examining a ring or earrings with a stone, be sure to do it under different lighting conditions - in daylight and under the lamp of a jewelry display case.
A little secret when buying is that you need to inspect the product on the move. Take a piece of jewelry and look at it from different angles - then the colors are best revealed.
Price determines quality
In relation to alexandrite, the persistent expression "price determines quality" fits perfectly well. On the market, you can find both high quality nuggets and lower quality elements that have minor flaws.
It can be difficult for a person who does not understand the intricacies of jewelry to decide what exactly is on the showcase - an original or a skillful fake. In this case, you can safely focus on the price category.
The cost of one carat starts from five thousand dollars, and the average size ranges from one to three carats. The largest species can be estimated at ten carats or more, and the cost reaches 110 thousand. Such samples can be purchased exclusively at auction, because the powerful of this world are watching the sale and everyone wants to become the owner of a unique nugget.
The most valuable is the Ceylon type, which has an olive tint. Most appreciated is the one that changes color during the day depending on the type of lighting.
Minerals, which, in different light, keep in the same color scale and only slightly change are cheaper.Representatives with exceptional performance are more expensive than diamonds and reach around twenty thousand dollars per carat.
If we talk about an acceptable price available in most jewelry stores, then there is no need to reassure yourself - in mass production, artificial is most often used.
It is inexpensive and fully corresponds to the purchasing power, so it does not sit late in the shop windows for a long time.
It is not hesitated to compile it along with diamonds and other minerals. The cost of the artificial species is much lower - about $ 500 per carat, but you can find cheaper options.
The artificial version has its advantages:
- it is transparent and has no haze;
- there are no inclusions of other substances in the structure;
- no microcracks as in natural;
- size and other parameters are easily adjusted to the required product.
Please note that such "pluses" of the artificial mineral are completely unacceptable for natural alexandrite. Therefore, true connoisseurs are never deceived by such characteristics, but only acquire the original.
Use in jewelry
Since chrysoberyl is quite expensive, you will not see massive products with this nugget - just no one will buy them and they do not go into mass production. It is possible that larger elements are used in custom-made individual pieces of jewelry.
From what can be found in jewelry stores, earrings and rings are often found. Also used in pendants, but usually combined with other stones.
When worn in combination with the right jewelry, it will have a beneficial effect on its wearer.
Here are the recommendations for choosing the jewelers give:
- the most stylish is the combination with gold;
- you can enhance the visual qualities of the product by combining it with amethyst, pomegranate, topaz, citrine, diamond - they will not spoil at all, but only emphasize the uniqueness;
- from the point of view of lithotherapy, it is optimal for people with problems of the cardiovascular system to wear it in a ring or ring, as well as in a pendant (at the level of the heart).
When combined with other nuggets, there is an unspoken rule - put on alexandrite first and take off last.
2019-th year - what they wear
In 2019, the jewelry industry is working under the motto of introducing geometric shapes into jewelry. Undoubtedly, one of the very first cut will emphasize all the charms of geometry. And given the fact that the trend is massive products that draw attention to the face, the mineral becomes that unique element for balancing, which does not allow designers to go beyond vulgarity and satiety.
This year, gold is still fashionable, with which alexandrite goes well. The highest standard of metal is used - he simply does not tolerate another.
Such a combination of expensive metal, massiveness of the product and the presence of a small pebble is an excellent play of colors and opposites.
If there is a need to look strict and restrained, jewelry of 2019 will do an excellent job with this task.
At the same time, they go well with more relaxed looks, if you do not wear other jewelry, except for the product with alexandrite.
When to wear
Jewelry containing the original stone can be worn by women of any age. By the way, it is not forbidden to representatives of the strong half of humanity, but it is rarely included in jewelry for men.
In most cases, products are worn to go out to loud large events, private parties. In everyday life, it is appropriate only if a strict business style is observed.
The color of brown and green eyes is especially well shaded, therefore, alexandrite is recommended to representatives of this color type as a priority.
It will not become a defiant element - small sizes never look vulgar and only give a special zest to the female image.
Based on such characteristics, jewelers are advised to choose it solely in appearance, color and, most importantly, budget.
A little more beauty
You can learn more about additional features and characteristics from the video at the link:
Connoisseurs of the original will have to shell out a considerable sum for a small pebble, but it's worth it!