Often described by gem aficionados as “emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite is the very rare color-change variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. Originally discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountains in the 1830s, it’s now found in Sri Lanka, East Africa, and Brazil, but the fine material is exceptionally rare and valuable.
Abundant alexandrite deposits were first discovered in 1830 in Russia’s Ural Mountains. Those first alexandrites were of very fine quality and displayed vivid hues and dramatic colour change. The gem was named after the young Alexander II, heir apparent to the throne. It caught the country’s attention because its red and green colours mirrored the national military colours of imperial Russia.
