“Emerald by day, and a Ruby by night.”

 

Alexandrite is a very rare and valuable natural gemstone, famous for its color change.  Alexandrite magically changes, from red to green, depending on the light source.  This is known as the Alexandrite effect.  Alexandrite is a variety of Chrysoberyl and is well suited for jewelry because it is very hard, durable, rare, beautiful and unusual.

Alexandrite was discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in the 1830’s.  It was named after Czar Alexander II’s at his ‘coming of age’ ceremony.  The Russian Imperial flag colors were also red and green, so Alexandrite’s color changes made quite a hit. 

Today, most Alexandrite come from other locations of the world, such as East Africa, Brazil and Sri Lanka.