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Alexandrite

Tsarstone collectors guide


Color change

Color change
There are four major methods of changing the colors of gemstones. These are surface painting or foiling the back, oiling, coating, impregnating, staining of porous stones, heat treatment, and irradiation by particles of atomic size and X-rays. The color change by X-ray treatment is temporary usually after some time reverts to its original color. Significant difference in color change can be seen in some gemstones when studied under different lighting conditions such as alexandrite a chromium, highly dichroic, rare variety of chrysoberyl with emerald green-blue in natural daylight or under many fluorescence rays, reddish-brown to deep violet red by artificial light, due to its unusual absorption properties. Frequently called alexandrite effect. This effect can be seen in corundum, spinel, tourmaline and garnet. Synthetic alexandrite and synthetic sapphire with color change are made; simulated glasses with color change are produced.
Bibliographic details
Page title Definition of Color change
Author David Weinberg
Website title Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide
Date published 03 July 2010 04:48 UTC
Date accessed 02 June 2026 10:23 UTC
Permanent link http://w.alexandrite.com/viewpage.html?id=GG-088-00008
AMA style
David Weinberg. "Definition of Color change". In Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide. July 03, 2010, 04:48 UTC. Available at: http://w.alexandrite.com/viewpage.html?id=GG-088-00008. Accessed June 02, 2026.
APA style
"Definition of Color change". (2010, July 03). In Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide. Retrieved 10:23, June 02, 2026, from http://w.alexandrite.com/viewpage.html?id=GG-088-00008.
Bluebook style
"Definition of Color change", http://w.alexandrite.com/viewpage.html?id=GG-088-00008 (last visited June 02, 2026).
Bluebook: Harvard JOLT style
See Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide, "Definition of Color change", http://w.alexandrite.com/viewpage.html?id=GG-088-00008 (There are four major methods of changing the colors of gemstones. These are surface painting or foiling the back, oiling, coating, impregnating, staining of porous stones, heat treatment, and irradiation by particles of atomic size and X-rays. The color change by X-ray treatment is temporary usually after some time reverts to its original color. Significant difference in color change can be seen in some gemstones when studied under different lighting conditions such as alexandrite a chromium, highly dichroic, rare variety of chrysoberyl with emerald green-blue in natural daylight or under many fluorescence rays, reddish-brown to deep violet red by artificial light, due to its unusual absorption properties. Frequently called alexandrite effect. This effect can be seen in corundum, spinel, tourmaline and garnet. Synthetic alexandrite and synthetic sapphire with color change are made; simulated glasses with color change are produced.) (as of Jun. 02, 2026, 10:23 GMT).
CBE/CSE style
David Weinberg. "Definition of Color change". In Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide. 2010 Jul 03, 04:48 UTC.[Internet], Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide; 2010 Jul 03, 04:48 UTC [cited 2026 Jun 02]. Available from: http://w.alexandrite.com/viewpage.html?id=GG-088-00008.
Chicago style
David Weinberg, "Definition of Color change", http://w.alexandrite.com/viewpage.html?id=GG-088-00008, (accessed June 02, 2026).
MLA style
"Definition of Color change". Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide. 03 Jul 2010, 04:48 UTC. 02 Jun 2026 http://w.alexandrite.com/viewpage.html?id=GG-088-00008
MHRA style
David Weinberg, "Definition of Color change", Alexandrite Tsarstone Collectors Guide, 03 July 2010, 04:48 UTC, http://w.alexandrite.com/viewpage.html?id=GG-088-00008 [accessed 02 June 2026].
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