DESCRIPTION:

Alexandrite, one of the rarest gemstones, was discovered near the Tokovaya River in the Urals. This young gemstone appears in both red and green colors, said to represent the colors of Russia. Naturally, it was considered the national stone of Russia. When it comes to modern jewelry, the usage of this stone is very rare. It usually adorns antique jewelry, and as a result, rings studded with this stone were introduced to the market. Victorian jewelry, famous in London, also made use of this stone.

One of the most admirable qualities of this gemstone is its color. The ability to change its color has made it one of the most beautiful gemstones. In daylight, this stone appears bluish-green, and in artificial light, it appears red. This fine quality has made it one of the most valuable gemstones.

The main source of this precious stone from parts of Russia gradually stopped producing this gemstone, and in due course, this stone lost its market due to non-availability. Another reason was that stones produced in other places did not display this color magic. But later on, this gem was discovered in Brazil, and it showed the change of color and clarity. After the discovery of this new stone, it once again became popular and regained its importance with all its glory. However, this precious stone does not have the strong green color as the one found in Russia. It clearly showed the color change and so it came to be again looked upon with the same value. Later on, Alexandrite was also discovered in Sri Lanka, but the quality of this stone was not as good as those found in the Uralian.

This wonderful gem can be clearly differentiated from other precious stones by the change of color it exhibits. This precious stone is very clear and is considered to be more valuable than all the other precious stones like emerald, ruby, and sapphire. It is very rare to find this beautiful rare gem in large sizes. It is always found in oval, round, and also heart shapes. No specific treatment is given to this gem to make it more valuable as it is considered to be very valuable in its natural shape and size.

This gemstone is considered to be a stone of happiness and goodness. The spiritual growth of an individual is said to be promoted when this gem is worn. It is considered a stone of good omen. Calmness and peace are associated with this gemstone. It is believed that the wearer of this gem always has a chance of winning any task they take up.

The uniqueness of this gem has made it valuable and very expensive. This exquisite jewelry can be used for daily wear, but care has to be taken to protect it from scratches and harsh chemicals. It should not be exposed to high temperatures. Cleaning should be done with a mild soap solution, warm water, and a soft cloth.

It is known as an emerald in the daytime and a ruby at nighttime, and this precious stone is said to be the third hardest stone. A large variety of jewelries are made out of this stone, like rings, pendants, etc. With all these benefits and rare quality, this rare stone occupies an important place among other precious stones in the gem family.

ALEXANDRITE FORMATION:

Alexandrite belongs to the chrysoberyl family, a mineral composed of beryllium, aluminum, and oxygen. Its remarkable color-changing ability is attributed to trace amounts of chromium within its crystal structure.

This gemstone forms within metamorphic rocks, where high temperatures and pressure conditions prevail. Typically, Alexandrite is discovered alongside minerals like mica, feldspar, and quartz. The primary sources of Alexandrite are located in Russia, Sri Lanka, East Africa, Brazil, and Madagascar, where significant deposits have been identified.

ALEXANDRITE MINING SOURCES:

Alexandrite can be sourced from two distinct types of mining operations: primary and secondary.

Primary Source

Mining alexandrite from its primary source involves extracting the gemstone directly from the rock where it originally formed. This method is intricate and requires careful extraction processes to preserve the integrity of the stone.

Secondary Source

A secondary source involves mining alexandrite from locations where the gemstone has been displaced from its original rock formation. This often occurs in river beds or weathered rock deposits where natural forces have relocated the stones. Mining from secondary sources is generally easier as the gemstones are already detached from their original rock matrix.

ALEXANDRITE MINING AND PROCESSING:

Because of its rarity, alexandrite is primarily mined from secondary sources. It is frequently found during the mining of emeralds because the geological conditions conducive to forming emeralds also facilitate the presence of alexandrite.

However, it's important to note that the occurrence of alexandrite does not guarantee its presence wherever emeralds are found. The conditions that lead to the formation of emeralds can dislodge alexandrite from its original location rather than directly create it.

ALEXANDRITE MINING LOCATIONS:

Russia

The Ural Mountains remain a significant source of Alexandrite, although production has declined in recent years. Key mines such as Ekaterinburg and Tokovaya historically provided important yields of Alexandrite.

Sri Lanka

Known for producing some of the world's finest Alexandrite, Sri Lanka yields stones with vivid and distinct color changes. Mining operations predominantly occur in alluvial deposits concentrated in the Ratnapura district.

Brazil

Brazil boasts important deposits of Alexandrite, notably at the Hematita mine in Minas Gerais. Alexandrite is found both in alluvial deposits and hard rock formations across the region.

Madagascar

Emerging as a crucial source in recent times, Madagascar produces Alexandrite renowned for its intense color change and excellent clarity. Deposits are typically found in pegmatites and metamorphic rocks.

Tanzania

Noteworthy for its large and valuable Alexandrite stones, Tanzania's mining activities are centered in the Tunduru district, yielding notable finds in recent years.

Zambia

Zambia is recognized for producing sizable Alexandrite stones, with significant mining operations in the Copperbelt province.

Other notable locations where Alexandrite is found include India, Myanmar, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. Despite its rarity, high-quality Alexandrite stones are highly prized regardless of their origin.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES :

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