Le Vian Couture® Pendant featuring 1 cts. Alexandrite, 2 1/2 cts. Vanilla Diamonds® set in P95

Alexandrite

Alexandrite was first discovered in 1830 in Russia’s Ural Mountains. Named after then 12-year-old Alexander II, who would become Czar Alexander II in 1855. This very rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl has amazing chameleon-like qualities depending on the source of light: in daylight or fluorescent lighting, its color is green; incandescent lamps produce a purplish-red hue.

Alexandrite is also pleochroic, which means you can see different colors – generally green, orange and purple red - from viewing the gem at different angles. The unique displays of color are a result of this rare mineral’s lightabsorbing properties.

Today, the durable Alexandrite can be found in Sri Lanka, East Africa, and Brazil. Factors in determining the quality of an Alexandrite include a strong color change and moderate saturation, clarity, although the rare needlelike "cat’s eye" can increase its value, and cut.