We had a customer bring in an 8 KT yellow gold ring featuring, what she was told, a 2- 3 carat solitaire alexandrite.  The stone was a delight to look at and exhibited fiery blues, reds and purples – all at the same time.  No way was this an alexandrite, I thought, so out came the test equipment (never hurts to brush up) and determined the stone to be sapphire, synthetic.

What’s it worth?  Not millions, but it sure looked like a million bucks and I, for one, would consider it a family heirloom if I received this ring from my grandmother. 

I advised the customer what I thought was in her ring.  Not sure if she accepted my findings and felt she left with mixed feelings about my indentification of the stone, possibly clinging to the belief she had a real alexandrite, so I thought a little blurb might help others who have a large alexandrite.  If you have a large gemstone you believe to be an alexandrite, check to see if the color change is predominantly one color at a time.  If you see 2 -3 colors at the same time, it’s not looking good.  Now, consider the history of the ring donor.  Did they hang out with the tsar?  Did they have lots of money to buy Brazilian?  If the answer is yes, go see a jeweler.

“Finely faceted alexandrites above one carat are thus among the most expensive gemstones in the world, rarer than fine ruby, sapphire or emerald.” – Source ICA Gem Bureau