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)
Alexandrite or... Diaphanite?
Myths, Legends and Lore
Identification of Alexandrite
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.
Contents
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
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