ALEXANDRITE

One of the rarest and most coveted of
gemstones, Alexandrite is prized for its change
from shades of green in daylight to shades of red
in incandescent light. A variety of chrysoberyl,
alexandrite ideally changes from grass green to
raspberry red.

Alexandrite is scarce and not a gem you will see
often.

Alexandrite is one of the accepted birthstones for
June, and the accepted anniversary gemstone
for the fifty-fifth year of marriage.

Alexandrite was supposedly discovered in the
Ural region of Russia on the day in 1831 when
Alexander 11, Russian heir-apparent, came of age.
Hence, the name "Alexandrite". Even today,
Russian stones are said to be the finest. The
most important were owned by the Russian royal
family. Antique jewelry pieces are an
important source of very fine stones.

Perhaps because of its ability to change colors,
legend holds that alexandrite brings good fortune
when the sun is shining and stimulates pleasure
and love at night.

Alexandrite is a very durable stone and stands up
well to normal wear. It may be immersed in a
jewelry cleaner or in lukewarm soapy water and
cleaned with a small bristle brush. As with all
gemstones, care should be taken to protect ft
from scratches and sharp blows.

Alexandrites are primarily found in the U.S.S.R.,
Sri Lanka, Brazil, Africa and Burma.

Jewelers of America

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