How to Identify Genuine Alexandrite
Genuine Alexandrite is a rare gemstone known for its ability to change colors in different types of light. Science has now given us the ability to manufacture Alexandrite, but the result is a stone that is far inferior to genuine Alexandrite. Fortunately, it's not hard to tell the synthetic from the real. Below are a few things to look for in both genuine and synthetic Alexandrite. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Identifying Genuine Alexandrite
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Viewed in natural daylight, Alexandrite should be green or bluish-green, similar to the color of an emerald.
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Viewed in warm incandescent light, tungsten light, or candlelight, Alexandrite should appear purple, reddish-purple, or bluish-lavender; the color should look close to that of a fine ruby.
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Observe the percent of color change. Genuine Alexandrite does not change color 100 percent; the actual percent of change is closer to 75 percent.
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Scratched across a surface, genuine Alexandrite will leave a white streak (but don't do this; you can damage your gemstone).
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Look for natural inclusions, or flaws. Genuine Alexandrite can have tiny black spots in the interior of the stone. The inclusions can sometimes take the form of veil-like silky threads or tubes in part or all of the stone. Another type of inclusion are fissures that look like white or clear lines that can be mistaken for a crack in the stone.
Identifying Synthetic or Created Alexandrite
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Check for what looks like air bubbles throughout the stone. Air bubbles indicate it is not genuine Alexandrite.
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Look for a dusty-like appearance within the stone. It may appear as a dull layer in one level and shiny in another. This is an indication that it is synthetic.
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Look for streaks that travel in the same direction and have one end that is rounded. Genuine Alexandrite does not have streaks with rounded ends.
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Place the stone on its side on a piece of white paper. If you see strong color banding, such as darker or lighter layers, this is synthetic Alexandrite.
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Colors change from green to yellow to bluish to brick brown. Genuine Alexandrite never looks yellow or brown.
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Tips & Warnings
Alexandrite sold as "Natural Alexandrite" or "Natural Russian Alexandrite" is synthetic and not genuine Alexandrite.
