June Birthstone Alexandrite: Emerald by Day, Ruby by Night Often described as “emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite is a rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl that changes color from bluish green in daylight to purplish red under incandescent light.
Alexandrite, the birthstone for June, is the rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl that changes color in different lighting. Most prized are those Alexandrite birthstones that show a vivid green to blueish green in daylight, or fluorescent light, and an intense red to purplish red in incandescent light.
June: Alexandrite & Pearl
Having more than one birthstone, Pearl & Alexandrite, June's birthstones are as unique as it comes. Extremely rare and having "color-changing" abilities, the Alexandrite is green in daylight and changes to a purple-red hue in incandescent or artificial light.
Alexandrite is one of the birthstones for June and the gemstone for the 55th anniversary. Alexandrite is ranked as an 8.5 on the Mohs scale. Alexandrite is a rare form of the mineral chrysoberyl. As a result of the gem's complex absorption of light, alexandrite changes color in different environments.
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.
Alexandrites can exhibit everything from 100% to just 5% color change. Thus, the most valuable gems would have a 100% color shift from pure green to pure red. Blue-greens and purplish or brownish reds hold less value.
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.
Alexandrite Symbolism & Meaning: Fortune, luck and embracing change.
June is one of only three months (the others are August and December) that has three birthstones, giving you a variety of beautiful birthstone choices. The June birthstones are pearl, alexandrite and moonstone.
Alexandrite is the birthstone for June and the gemstone that commemorates the fifty-fifth wedding anniversary. Astrologers recommend this gemstone for the Cancer zodiac sign. Ascendants of Leo, Gemini, Taurus, and Virgo can wear real Alexandrite gemstones.
The first is that the month is named after the Roman goddess Juno, the goddess of marriage and the wife of the supreme deity Jupiter; the second is that the name comes from the Latin word iuniores, meaning "younger ones", as opposed to maiores ("elders") for which the preceding month May (Maius) may be named.
Alexandrites are remarkable and rare gemstones. They display an extraordinary colour change according to the ambient lighting, from emerald green in daylight to ruby red in incandescent light from tungsten lamps or candles.
Alexandrite is the gemstone of luck, prosperity, and intellect. It represents the balance between the physical and the spiritual, and can bring you into the balance of who you are.
Needless to say, if you were born in February, you should feel pretty special. 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.
The pearl is the birthstone most often associated with June. Read about the pearl's symbolism, discover where modern pearls come from, and see photos of moonstone and alexandrite—two alternative birthstones. We love all of Earth's gems!
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.
June has three birthstones, and Alexandrite is the rarest. Alexandrite is a relatively modern gemstone; it was discovered in Russian emerald mines located in the Ural Mountains.
Alexandrite is however, incredibly rare and is often found as a by-product while mining for other gemstones. To give you an idea, one alexandrite is found for every hundred emeralds.
If an ultraviolet lamp is shone on an alexandrite, an intense, glowing red color is seen.
Alexandrite is the color-change variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. Alexandrite is bluish green in daylight or fluorescent light. Alexandrite is purplish red in incandescent light or candlelight.
As with all colored gemstones, perfect specimens of Alexandrite are nearly impossible to find. The most common fault we see is low clarity. Some of the gems with the strongest color change are heavily included or foggy looking.