The June birthstone is Alexandrite and is associated with the Gemini zodiac sign.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Due to its colour-changing phenomena, alexandrite is known as emeralds in the sunlight and ruby in artificial light.
Alexandrite has a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale
It is found in Russia, Sri Lanka, India and Brazil.
Alexandrite gemstone brings joy and laughter to the wearer. It keeps the body, mind and soul healthy.
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.
Alexandrite harmonizes the Crown chakra, which increases the physic ability and helps you to connect with the higher self.
It belongs to the 55th Wedding Anniversary.
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.
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.
Visit the fastest-growing premier Education Institute of the Gems and Jewellery Industry at our pan-India locations including Mumbai & Surat.
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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.
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