Does anyone know if there is a difference from "Russian" Alexandrite and "Brazilian" Alexandrite gem stone.

Question

Heres the deal... I'm interested in finding the perfect stone to set in my engagement ring. So I want an Alexandrite, which is among the rarest of all precious stones. There's a "standard" according to books I've been reading (out dated) that the color change from daylight to incandescent light HAS to be green to red. But I see all these pictures of "Brazilian" Alexandrite and they are blue to pink, light purple to reddish purple. So I'm wondering if the "standard" has changed, or if they're just trying to sell a stone that isn't Alexandrite.

Answer 1

Alexandrite is alexandrite no matter where it comes from. In spite of there being many alexandrites obtainable from sites all round the world now which range in colour change from hardly noticeable to very strong, oily green to reddish brown, purple to pink etc. it is still the classical "traffic lights" change from red to green that commands the highest prices. The clarity and colour change, both in colour and % of change of the stone are what define its price and not its locality (unless you are a collector looking for a stone from one particular site). My advice to you would be to buy a CLEAN stone with the strongest colour change you can find. The exact colour change is a matter of personal preference but the more 'pure' each colour is the better. Do not worry overmuch about the stone's origin but buy what will make you happy every time you look at it, after all it is an engagement ring and not a specimen in a museum.
I bought and had cut a lot of the Brazilian rough when it was first found and still have a 7.35ct. stone that goes from a soft green to a raspberry pink which I gave to myself for having been a 'good boy' and mounted it in a tie pin which I wear very often.
Good luck with your engagement and future marriage.

Answer 2

" But the situation changed dramatically in 1987, when alexandrites were discovered in a place called Hematita in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Brazilian alexandrites showed both a distinctive colour change and good clarity and colour. Thus the somewhat dulled image of the miraculous stone received another boost. The colour of the Brazilian stones is admittedly not as strong a green as that of Russian alexandrite, but the colour change is clearly discernible. Today Hematita is one of the most important deposits of alexandrite in economic terms. Occasionally alexandrite with chatoyancy is discovered there, an effect which has not yet been observed in Russian alexandrite. Alexandrites are also obtained from sources in Sri Lanka, but the hue of these stones compares less than favourably with that of the Uralian alexandrites. They appear green in daylight and a brownish red in artificial light. The Tunduru area in southern Tanzania has also produced some outstanding specimens since the mid-1990s. Alexandrites are also found in India, Burma, Madagascar and Zimbabwe. Although this stone is still considered a rarity, specialised gemstone dealers do stock it, especially since improved trade relationships between Russia and the rest of the world have ensured a better supply of Russian alexandrites to the market."

Much of the Alexandrite used today in jewelry is actually produced in a lab, to keep the costs down. That is how I got mine, and it is just a beautiful as a natural one. I love it. That may be where the odd color changes are coming in as well.