“Emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite is well known for displaying one of the most remarkable color changes in the gem world — green in sunlight and red in incandescent light. However, the modern June birthstone is so rare and expensive few people have seen a natural alexandrite.
Often described by gem aficionados as “emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite is the very rare color-change variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. Originally discovered in Russia's Ural Mountains in the 1830s, it's now found in Sri Lanka, East Africa, and Brazil, but fine material is exceptionally rare and valuable.
February babies have the rarest birthstone of all. Diamond (April) is the rarest birthstone in a total of six states, while topaz (November) is the rarest birthstone in Montana, Wyoming, and Rhode Island.
How Expensive Is Alexandrite? There are almost no standard prices for alexandrite. Its prices range from $15,000 per carat for a quality stone to about $70,000 for larger stones above 1 carat. The final price depends on various factors, including the degree of color change, size, clarity, and origin.
Since the discovery of alexandrite, the gemstone has been thought to bring luck, good fortune and love. In Russia, it is considered to be a stone of very good omen. It is believed to bring balance in the interaction between the physical manifest world and the unmanifest spiritual, or astral world.
Alexandrite is an extraordinary gemstone that appears green or red dependent on the light it is observed under. This colour change effect is sometimes referred to as the 'alexandrite effect'. The rarity of this material and its chameleon-like qualities make alexandrite one of the world's most desirable gemstones.
Alexandrite is believed to bring luck, love, and good fortune to those who own it. Many believe that the stone brings harmony and activity between the physical and spiritual worlds.
In sizes up to one carat, top-quality natural gems can sell for up to $15,000 per carat. Over one carat, the prices range from $50,000 to $70,000 per carat! For more detailed value information, see our alexandrite buying guide.
1. Emerald (May) The lush abundance of spring is mirrored in May's birthstone, the emerald, with its deep green hue, making it the best birthstone of them all. According to legend, emeralds are also a source of great luck and offer protection against evil to those who wear them.
On the unlucky side of birthdates, November holds the record for the least favorite birthstones: citrine and topaz. (Apparently because yellow gems aren't considered favorable…have people gone mad?)
Who should wear alexandrite stone? Ans. Alexandrite is revered as the birthstone of June and often recommended for Cancer zodiac signs and ascendants of Leo, Gemini, Taurus, and Virgo. The vital energies of alexandrite help individuals activate their Heart, Throat, and Third Eye chakra.
The finest alexandrites are typically dark vivid green in fluorescent light and raspberry red under incandescent light. Natural alexandrites generally offer only these two colors, whereas artificial ones come in a wide variety of hues. The intensity of the color change differs from one alexandrite to the other.
Color change is the most important quality factor for alexandrite. The most-prized alexandrites show a strong color change from bluish green in daylight and red to purplish red in incandescent light, with moderately strong to strong color saturation. Alexandrites tend to contain few inclusions.
December Birthstones
Zircon is the oldest mineral on Earth, dating back more than 4.4 billion years. Found in the Earth's crust, it's common in most sand and sedimentary deposits, as well as metamorphic rocks and crystallized magma.
The Gemini zodiac sign falls between the months of May and June, and there are not one, but two birthstones for Gemini: one for each month the zodiac crosses. These birthstones are Emerald and Pearl.
For example, an alexandrite that has the highest clarity possible and is 1-1.99 carats could cost anywhere between $20,000-$35,000. A diamond with a comparable clarity and carat weight (1-1.99ct) would go between $24,000-$29,000. While the ranges are similar, it is clear that alexandrites tend to sell for more money.
The rarest of them all is red diamond which is arguably the rarest birthstone. It is estimated that there are about 20 to 30 red diamond specimens known with the most famous being the 5.1 carat Moussaieff Red.
Alexandrite - $20k+ per carat
The most expensive birthstone is alexandrite. It is a very rare gem in nature and can cost an absolute fortune!
Another common alex. simulant is the synthetic alexandrite-like corundum (sapphire), which has been around for more than a century and more closely imitates the color of natural alexandrite. Alexandrite is a very, very rare gem.
They are prized for their dramatic colour change under different illumination: that is ruby-red under candlelight or incandescent lamplight, and emerald-green under natural daylight1.
When the light source changes from daylight to incandescent light, the gem's color changes from bluish green to reddish purple. Alexandrite, with its chameleon-like qualities, is a rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl.