Alexandrite

[Wwoofa]

Hi,
This month's "Gem of the Month" is .... Alexandrite.

Feel free to add more info & pics. If anyone has any questions about Alexandrite then this is a good place to post them.

You might like to change your "Gem of the Month" votes now that this one has been covered.

General Information:
Alexandrite is a variety of the gemstone Chrysoberyl.  Typically, Alexandrite has an emerald-green color in daylight but exhibits a raspberry-red color in incandescent light.  It is often described as “emerald by day, ruby by night".  It was originally discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountains in the 1830s, it’s now found in Sri Lanka, East Africa, and Brazil, but fine material is exceptionally rare and valuable.  It was named after Tsar Alexander II of Russia.

Here are a few useful links that should cover all of the main information.

Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysoberyl#Alexandrite
Gemdat - http://www.gemdat.org/gem-109.html
Mindat - http://www.mindat.org/min-109.html
Minerals.Net - http://www.minerals.net/gemstone/alexandrite_gemstone.aspx[/url]

Fossicking Locations:
Alexandrite has been found at the Aga Khan Mine near Poona in WA and low grade specimens were also found in a wheat field near Dowerin in WA.

Here are some pics ...
http://www.google.com.au/search?q=alexandrite&hl=en&qscrl=1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=9toBUoaQBJHNlAWPtICgBw&ved=0CDUQsAQ&biw=1360&bih=589

[Brero]

Does anyone have any? If so id love to see a pic. Ill get my own when i win lotto.

[Bluey Zarzoff]

I am just wondering how big the contest piece is going to be. 

[Lefty]

Nice stone!

I've heard people talk about "Alexandrite sapphire" - I wonder if that just refers to a sapphire with the "cross-table" (is my terminology correct?) which causes the stone to change colour depending on which angle it is veiwed from.

[gammyknee]

Here is some synthetic Alexandrite - produced by a Thai/Russian group. I think they have discontinued making this material. It has numerous inclusions which made  polishing at times difficult. This has the same chemical composition as Alexandrite, unlike the Synthetic Corundum which is produced to simulate Alexandrite.[smg id=5887 type=preview align=center caption="Alexandrite"]

[crashoveroide]

Hi Guys,

Alexandrite is one of the world rarest Gemstones.

I am from a Engineering Background however my family is into Gem mining in Sri Lanka for over last 30 years. We sell / trade gemstones locally, looking forward to explore opportunities in Australia since I fly to Melbourne very regularly. We are currently mining for Alexandrite and Alexandrite Catseye Gemstones.

Specialty of this gemstone is the Color Change percentage from Green to Red/Purple.

When we mine we find it very difficult to find clear stones, most of the stones are found with heavy inclusions.

Find this link below one of the beautiful Alexandrite 8.80 cts weight 70% color Change Eye Clean.

Natural Alexandrite 8.8 cts Rough Sri Lankan Orgin

Will Share more pictures later, issue with picture uploads

Cheers

[1971sharyn]

Wow, awesome colour change 

[steveo]

Great color change, would love to have a bit to facet.     How hard is it to facet and what do they polish it with?   

[fishaholic5]

Nice
It's usually difficult to find good eye-clean facetable stones mining anywhere, it looks like yours are well worth the effort

Cheers
Wal

[crashoveroide]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the feedback.
That is correct it same as gambling till you find a cashable Gemstone.
I have large Stones over 50 carats alex in rough, but 90% with inclusions(cleavages), it would worth $$$$$$ otherwise.
Will keep you posted once I facet it.