So you want alexandrite. Yeah, good luck with that.
This color-changing gem is rarer than hen’s teeth and trickier to buy than a used car from your sketchy cousin. Plus, 9 out of 10 “alexandrite” stones for sale are total fakes.
Here’s how to not get screwed.
The Magic Trick That Fooled Russian Royalty
Real alexandrite does something crazy cool. It changes color completely when you move from sunlight to indoor light.
Daylight makes it green to blue-green. Indoor bulbs turn it red to purple-red. Not kinda different. Totally different. Like Jekyll and Hyde different.
The best ones go from emerald green outside to ruby red inside. Info from Alexandrite Buying Guide – International Gem Society shows this intense color change is what makes these stones worth crazy money.
Most “alexandrite” you see barely changes at all. If it looks the same under your kitchen light and outside, it’s not alexandrite. Period.
The Fake Problem That’s Totally Out of Hand
Here’s what nobody tells you about alexandrite shopping. Most of it’s fake. Like 90% fake.
Some sellers use colored glass that changes a tiny bit. Others push synthetic sapphire or garnet. Many don’t even know they’re selling garbage.
The really bad part? These fakes can fool you if you don’t know what to look for. They change some, they feel heavy, they come with fancy certificates.
But they’re not alexandrite. And you’re getting ripped off.
What Makes the Real Stuff So Damn Expensive
A few things control alexandrite prices. Know them or pay way too much.
Color Change Rules Everything
How much the stone changes color matters more than anything. Perfect ones go 100% from green to red. Most barely budge.
Dealers rate color change in percentages. Stones under 30% change aren’t really alexandrite according to experts at Alexandrite Buying Guide — Pala international.
Amazing color change in a clean stone hits $20,000+ per carat. Weak change might be worth $500 per carat. Huge difference.
Big Ones Cost Stupid Money
Large alexandrite barely exists. Most are under two carats. Anything over five carats belongs in a museum.
A one-carat stone with good color change costs $5,000 to $15,000. Three carats with same quality? Try $40,000 to $60,000.
The price doesn’t go up evenly. It jumps like crazy. Big stones cost way more per carat than small ones.
Flaws Don’t Kill It Like Diamonds
Alexandrite usually has stuff inside it. Perfect clarity is rare and costs big money. But small flaws don’t wreck value if the color change rocks.
Some inclusions actually prove it’s real. Synthetics often look too clean and perfect.
Beat-up stones should cost way less. Don’t pay top dollar for stones that look like they went through a blender.
Where It Comes From Matters
Russian alexandrite is the best. Shows the strongest color change and costs the most.
Brazilian stones are usually pale and boring. Sri Lankan ones fall in the middle.
But good color change beats fancy origins. A great Brazilian stone is better than a crappy Russian one.
The Synthetic Mess
Fake alexandrite is everywhere. Some is decent. Most is trash.
Real synthetic chrysoberyl alexandrite runs about $100 per carat. It’s chemically the same as natural but worth way less.
More common are color-changing glasses and other junk sold as “alexandrite.” These cost almost nothing but aren’t alexandrite at all.
Problem is, sellers don’t tell you what they’re really selling. They call everything “alexandrite” and hope you don’t know better.
Red Flags That Scream “Run”
Watch for these warning signs.
Prices That Make No Sense
Real alexandrite with good color change starts around $3,000 per carat. If someone wants $300 per carat for “alexandrite,” it’s fake.
Stones priced like regular gems are probably regular gems. Don’t fall for cheap prices on “rare” stuff.
Too-Perfect Color Change
Weird but true: perfect color change can mean fake. Some synthetics show more dramatic changes than natural stones.
Real alexandrite has subtle differences in how it changes. Fakes can look too uniform and bright.
Won’t Say Where It Came From
Good dealers know where their stones originated. If they can’t tell you, that’s fishy.
Alexandrite comes from specific places. If they claim weird origins, be careful.
Gets Weird About Testing
Honest sellers let you verify stones before buying. If they refuse testing, something’s wrong.
Some act all offended about testing. With fakes this common, testing isn’t optional.
How to Shop Without Getting Burned
Here’s your game plan.
Learn What Good Looks Like
See real alexandrites before buying anything. Visit fancy dealers, check out museum pieces, study certified examples.
Your eyes need training. Most people have never seen quality alexandrite.
Only Use Specialists
Don’t buy alexandrite from regular jewelry stores. They don’t know enough to spot fakes.
Work with dealers who focus on rare gems. They know alexandrite and can catch fakes easy.
Get Real Certificates
Buy only stones with papers from good labs like GIA, AGL, or Gübelin. These labs can tell real from fake.
The certificate should say “natural alexandrite,” not weird vague stuff like “color-changing chrysoberyl.”
Test It Yourself
Bring different lights when shopping. Small LED flashlight works fine. Your phone’s flashlight too.
Good alexandrite shows obvious change between sunlight and indoor bulbs. Weak changes mean weak stones.
Budget for Real Money
Quality alexandrite costs serious cash. Don’t expect great stones cheap. Plan on at least $5,000 per carat for decent quality.
Can’t afford natural? Look at other color-changing gems. But don’t buy fake alexandrite thinking you got a deal.
Natural vs Synthetic: Know the Deal
Both natural and synthetic alexandrite exist. Here’s how to tell them apart.
Natural Stuff
Natural stones have flaws and imperfections. Color change might not be even throughout.
They cost big money but hold value. Natural alexandrite is investment-grade.
Synthetic Alexandrite
Real synthetic is chemically identical but costs way less. Often shows great color change.
Still valuable but nowhere near natural prices.
Fake “Alexandrite”
Color-changing glass, sapphire, or garnet sold as alexandrite. Not really alexandrite at all.
Might change color but lacks real alexandrite properties. Skip these completely.
Will It Make You Rich?
Alexandrite can be a good investment but isn’t guaranteed money.
Nice natural stones over two carats have gained value steadily. Rarity plus beauty drives long-term demand.
But it’s a tiny, specialized market. Selling quick can be hard if you need cash fast.
Buy because you love it first. Any money you make should be extra.
Making Your Choice
Found a stone you like? Ask these questions:
Does it show crazy color change? If not, keep looking.
Is the price right for natural alexandrite? If it’s too cheap, it’s probably fake.
Do you trust the seller and their papers? Reputation matters with rare gems.
Can you afford it without stress? Don’t go broke for any gemstone.
Will it make you happy? That’s what really counts.
The Real Deal
Buying alexandrite takes patience, knowledge, and deep pockets. The fake problem makes it way trickier.
Focus on stones with dramatic color change from good dealers. Get proper papers. Budget accordingly.
Most important: see the stone in different lights before buying. The color change is what makes alexandrite special. If it doesn’t blow your mind, it’s not worth owning.
Whether you pick Russian, Brazilian, or Sri Lankan, the goal’s the same: owning one of nature’s coolest magic tricks.
Just make sure it’s actually doing magic before you pay for it.
