Alexandrite

Alexandrite is a gemstone. It is a type of chrysoberyl. Different kinds of light make the colors change. This is called the "alexandrite effect."

A piece of alexandrite, blue-green in daylight and reddish purple under incandescent light

A gemstone similar to alexandrite can be made in a laboratory. That kind of stone is called synthetic or simulated alexandrite. These are not made of chrysoberyl. People make these because alexandrite is expensive, and the synthetic alexandrite costs less.[1]

One story says that alexandrite was named in honor of Alexander II of Russia. Alexander was not yet Tsar at the time.

Alexandrite has been found in Russia, Brazil, India, Madagascar and Sri Lanka.

Alexandrite is one of the birthstones for June.

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alexandrite.
  1. "Alexandrite Synthetics and Imitations, In Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide". 2006. Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2007-07-09.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.