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This is a stone to pause for — a 0.30 carat Russian alexandrite, a true color-change chrysoberyl (BeAl₂O₄) carrying the quiet authority of its legendary origin and the rare alchemy that defines this species. Though modest in size, its importance is immense.

By daylight, it reveals a clear and open green. Under warm light or candlelight, the transformation begins — first a flicker of reddish pink, like the first spark of an ember, then unfolding into a gentle lilac that deepens toward an open purple. This living transition, from cool to warm, is what has made alexandrite so celebrated since its discovery in Russia’s Ural region. The change is not abrupt but graceful, a moment of transformation that feels almost sentient — a gem alive to its surroundings.

Measuring 4.00 × 4.00 × 2.50 mm, it displays clean clarity to the eye — a rarity among color-change chrysoberyl. The cut has been chosen carefully to emphasise both brilliance and the full effect of its color shift. When light plays across its facets, it feels as though the stone itself is breathing between day and night.

Provenance carries weight in alexandrite, and Russian stones from the Ural region remain the most esteemed. Production today is almost non-existent, and fine material such as this is scarcely found in any size. Alexandrites exceeding one carat are rarely encountered, and even smaller gems with such clarity and balanced color change are exceptional. It is only the second alexandrite we have ever offered through our international store — a testament to its rarity.

This gem is equally suited for fine jewelry or for the discerning collector. With a hardness of approximately 8.5 on the Mohs scale, it is durable enough to wear, yet its rarity invites reverence. In a ring or pendant, it becomes a living artwork, a conversation between nature and light. Those drawn to warm tones will delight in its fleeting pinks and purples, while collectors will recognise its place among Earth’s most elusive treasures.

Do not judge this gem by its carat weight; judge it by the near-impossible circumstances that brought it into being. It is a fragment of the Earth’s story, a moment of geological poetry, and a symbol of transformation.

If you would like guidance on ideal settings or wish to discuss the gemstone more, please feel free to contact us.

Photographs are provided under natural daylight and candlelight to illustrate its two distinct personalities — both equally captivating.

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Combined postage available for multiple purchases.

Stock#alex6

Import duties, GST/VAT and customs charges (if applicable) are the responsibility of the buyer.