Alexandrite gemstone buyer and jewelry collector guide

"Beauty, durability and rarity; such are the three cardinal virtues of a perfect gemstone. Stones lacking any of them cannot aspire to high place in the ranks of the precious stones." G.F. Herbert Smith (1872 - 1953)

According to a widely popular but controversial story, alexandrite was discovered by Nils Nordenskjold, on the Tsarevich Alexander´s sixteenth birthday on April 17, 1834 and named Alexandrite in honor of the future Tsar of the Russian Empire.

Eliphas Levi , French author and magician, connects duality of color of alexandrite with a duality of human blood - venous and arterial and calling alexandrite "the favorite charm of our time which clears and strengthens the blood vessels".

Knowing the difference between a synthetic and a natural alexandrite requires both experience and knowledge. Most gemstones described as synthetic alexandrite are actually synthetic corundum laced with vanadium and has been around for 100 years.

Timeline

1723 - 2000

According to a widely popular but controversial story, alexandrite was discovered by the Finnish mineralogist Nils Gustaf Nordenskjold, (1792 -1866) on the tsaravitch Alexander´s sixteenth birthday on April 17, 1834 and named alexandrite in honor of the future Tsar of the Russian Empire.

History and mystery, fiction and reality, still the story of alexandrite is forever linked to the last of the Russian Tsars. More than any other gemstone, alexandrite has captured and captivated the interest of collectors and connoisseurs since its discovery in the Ural mountains almost 200 years ago. And despite its short history, this remarkable and very scarce gemstone has already been ascribed with a variety of magical properties, stories and a noble history.

See Chronological History of Alexandrite

The definitive guide - how to select, buy, care for and enjoy gemstone varieties of chrysoberyl
Chapters	Articles	Resources
Chapter 1. Insidious Siberian Chapter 2. Diaphanite or Alexandrite? Chapter 3. Species and variety Chapter 4. Classification and properties Chapter 5. The Alexandrite effect Chapter 6. World occurrences Chapter 7. Synthetics and imitations Chapter 8. Myths, legends and lore Chapter 9. Alexandrite buyer's guide	Chronological History of Alexandrite Methods of producing synthetic alexandrite Synthetic gemstone growth techniques The Alexandrite Laser	Frequently Asked Questions Glossary of Terms Bibliography

Chapter 1. Insidious siberian: The prophetic Russian stone - Alexandrite; www.alexandrite.net/chapters/chapter1/index.html
Chapter 2. Diaphanite or Alexandrite?: Alexandrite or Diaphanite?; www.alexandrite.net/chapters/chapter2/index.html
Chapter 3. Species and variety: Chrysoberyl Species and Variety; www.alexandrite.net/chapters/chapter3/index.html
Chapter 4. Classification and properties: Chrysoberyl Classification and Properties; www.alexandrite.net/chapters/chapter4/index.html
Chapter 5. The Alexandrite effect: The Alexandrite Effect; www.alexandrite.net/chapters/chapter5/index.html
Chapter 6. World occurrences: Alexandrite World Occurrences; www.alexandrite.net/chapters/chapter6/index.html
Chapter 7. Synthetics and imitations: Alexandrite Synthetics and Imitations; www.alexandrite.net/chapters/chapter7/index.html
Chapter 8. Myths, legends and lore: Alexandrite Myths, Legends and Lore; www.alexandrite.net/chapters/chapter8/index.html
Chapter 9. Alexandrite buyer's guide: Alexandrite Buyer's Guide; www.alexandrite.net/chapters/chapter9/index.html
Chronological History of Alexandrite: Chronological History of Alexandrite; www.alexandrite.net/chapters/chronology-on-the-history-of-alexandrite.html
FAQ: Alexandrite Frequently Asked Questions; www.alexandrite.net/chapters/faq/index.html
Glossary of Terms: Glossary of Terms; www.alexandrite.net/chapters/glossary/index.html
Bibliography: Bibliography; www.alexandrite.net/chapters/bibliography.html

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Alexandrite

Alexandrite gemstone buyer and jewelry collector guide

Alexandrite or... Diaphanite?

Myths, Legends and Lore

Identification of Alexandrite

Contents

Timeline

1723 - 2000

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