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Zodiac
The June birthstone is Alexandrite and is associated with the Gemini zodiac sign.
Meaning of Alexandrite
French mineralist Nils Gustaf Nordenskiöld discovered Alexandrite in the Ural Mountains of Russia in 1834. This stone was named after Tsar Alexander II as it was first discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountains. The alexandrite gemstone has a speciality that changes colour. It is green in daylight and red in artificial light.
History of Alexandrite
The first alexandrite was found in the Ural Mountains on the 12th birthday of the Russian Crown Prince, who later became Czar Alexander II. Hence, the gemstone became known as Alexandrite. It was known for its magical colour change in the sunlight and artificial light. It is an extremely rare gemstone than rubies, diamonds, and tanzanite. For eg, if 75 million carats of diamonds are mined then only 1200 carats of alexandrite are mined in comparison hence making it an expensive and rare gemstone.
Alexandrite folklore
The story of the stone’s discovery is that the Miners were working alone in the mountains one day, collecting emeralds. One miner gathered some stones, which looked like emeralds and took them back to the camp at the end of the day. In the light of the campfire, the stones shone a brilliant shade of red this perplexed and surprised the miners. In the morning they saw that the stones were green again in the light, and they realized that they had found a new and mysterious gem.
Formation
Natural alexandrite will only form when aluminium and beryllium combine with elements of iron, titanium and most importantly, chromium. Chromium causes the colour of alexandrite to shift with light. In sunlight, alexandrite will shimmer with hues of green but will shift to purple in artificial light.
Colour
Due to its colour-changing phenomena, alexandrite is known as emeralds in the sunlight and ruby in artificial light.
Hardness
Alexandrite has a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale
Zones
It is found in Russia, Sri Lanka, India and Brazil.
Healing & Spiritual Properties
Alexandrite gemstone brings joy and laughter to the wearer. It keeps the body, mind and soul healthy.
Physical Properties
It helps you when you are recovering from a long-term ailment. It has the power to restore the body back to good health and helps circulation.
Chakra Healing
Alexandrite harmonizes the Crown chakra, which increases the physic ability and helps you to connect with the higher self.
Anniversary
It belongs to the 55th Wedding Anniversary.
Popular Culture
Because the stones appeared green or red, the same colours as Old Imperial Russia’s military colours, the stone became the national stone of Tsarist Russia. In time, alexandrite would become one of the most prized gemstones in Russian Aristocracy.
Famous Alexandrite of the World
- The Whitney Alexandrite – It weighs 17.08 carats and was found in the Minas Gerais mine in Brazil. It is named by gemologist Carolyn Whitney and was donated to Smithsonian National Museum in 2009 by her.
- Sauer Alexandrite – Currently the whereabouts of this stone is a mystery after the death of Jules Roger Sauer, the discoverer of the gemstone. It was founded by him in Brazil, Bahia in 1967. It is one of the largest uncut Alexandrite weighing 122,400 carats (54 pounds). It was displayed in the Sauer Museum from 1989 till 2007 and removed from the museum after his passing.
- The Smithsonian Alexandrite – The largest Alexandrite weighing 65.7 carats found in Sri Lanka is exhibited at the Smithsonian Museum.
Learn about the colour-changing phenomena of Alexandrite at IIG. We have Programs like Masters in Gemology, Gemology Graduate and where you will learn about alexandrite – origins, colour and grading. Explore the colour-changing effects of Alexandrite with IIG.
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Author: – Charmi Soni Shroff
Being a part of the Gems & Jewellery industry for the last 15 years I garnered insights into gems, diamonds and jewellery. I have authored a handbook on casting techniques and various blogs on various methods of healing and meditation with gemstones. Presently working with IIG Mumbai as a writer, author, external spokesperson and PR representative.
IIG India
International Institute of Gemology is an educational institute imparting knowledge about Gems and Jewellery. IIG has educated over 1,00,000 professionals excelling in the Gems and Jewellery industry. An institute par excellence offers education programs with certifications that hold global credibility. Having a stronghold in the industry for five decades, IIG has accelerated the quality of education in the Gems and Jewellery sector. IIG works towards bringing the best practices of the Gems and Jewellery industry under one roof.