Is My Ring a Genuine Alexandrite Ring?

by Michelle
(Springfield, MA)

I have a ring that I bought under the belief that it is alexandrite, how would I be able to tell if it is in fact real or fake? It is a very light clear color but it changes from various shades of pale blue to clear to green to purple... the stone is over a carat.

It is set in a plated setting so I am confused as to the true certification of the gem... not that it matters that much I bought it for $25 dollars at a flea market... but I’m curious. Thank-you very much.

Hi Michelle,

I think what you may have purchased is a ring made with a synthetic lab created alexandrite stone – or it could even be made with colored cut glass.

The price is the first clue that the ring is not made with genuine alexandrite. True alexandrite commands high prices. Mediocre gems up to a carat are priced around $500 dollars, okay gems are around $1,500 to $2,000 dollars a carat, a ‘good’ alexandrite gem up to a carat is around $5,000 dollars and an alexandrite with excellent cut and clarity characteristics that displays the most desirable color change qualities can command up to $15,000 per carat.

The chances of finding a true alexandrite at a flea market for $25 dollars are pretty low - and sadly, probably less than the chances of winning a PowerBall lottery ticket! Plus, if the ring was actually made with genuine alexandrite, it should have come with a laboratory certificate from a reputable company – like the AGS or GIA.

Alexandrite is a type of color change chrysoberyl gemstone, but over 30% of the gemstone must change color in order to be classified as an alexandrite, plus the color change has to be of a specific shade and intensity.

The reason I mention the color change chrysoberyl is because recently a lot of color change chrysoberyl is being labeled and sold as ‘true alexandrite’ when it really isn’t alexandrite at all. But – even a color change chrysoberyl is priced at a few hundred dollars a carat, which is why I don’t think your ring contains a color change chrysoberyl gemstone either.

Synthetic lab created alexandrite is priced at around $20 to $30 dollars a cart when it is set in a ring – and so because of the price of the ring and the location you purchased it in, I’m pretty sure that is what you have. Or as I mentioned before, it could also be an eye catching piece of colored cut glass.

The only true way to know that a gem is genuine alexandrite is to have the gemstone examined and certified by a laboratory. With a large amount of synthetic alexandrite on the market – plus color change chrysoberyl being marketed as alexandrite – anyone who is interested in a wedding ring or engagement ring made with true genuine alexandrite must shop with a reputable jeweler and make sure the ring comes with a certificate from a reputable laboratory.

Hope this info helps!

Suzanne Gardner
Everything Wedding Rings

Comments for Is My Ring a Genuine Alexandrite Ring?

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Antique Ring - Set in Platinum - I think it is Alexandrite
by: Jan

40 years ago I purchased a 3 stone ring ( 1 carat each) at an estate sale. It was said to be genuine Alexandrite. I purchased it because I liked the ring. It normally has a purplish color but changes and picks up the color that is nearest to the ring. If its on green, it picks up a greenish color. Each stone has 6 platinum prongs that hold it in place. How can I determine if the stones are genuine Alexandrite?

Hi Jan - really the only way to determine if the ring is made with genuine Alexandrite is to have the ring analyzed by a qualified jeweler.

As for clues that can help you to determine if the stones could be genuine alexandrite - the price you paid for the ring could be a good place to start. Three one carat alexandrite stones - even 40 years ago - would be priced at thousands of dollars depending on the quality of the stones. So, if you paid a low price for the ring it probably is not made with genuine alexandrite.

The color change description sounds a little off to me too though - because alexandrite changes color based on lighting. Sunlight (or indoor fluorescent light) and incandescent light is what induces the color shift in alexandrite gemstones - not the color of surrounding objects. Real alexandrite is a green color under sunlight or fluorescent light and changes to a red/purple color under incandescent light. So, that would be a concern.

But again, the only real way to find out for sure is to have the ring analyzed. Good luck and I hope you find the answer you are looking for!

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not real
by: Anonymous

none of those are real not to be a downer but they change from green to red blue to green some times purple but not clear maybe a little brown and they are super rare 1 caret is worth atleast a 1k if its poor quality anything over 1 caret poor quality is upwards to 10-20 k per caret really good quality meaning light change and clarity 1 caret 50-100k per caret the light change is from candle light to sun light type of thing it will be a different color in those to lights

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large alexandrite ring
by: Anonymous

I inherited an Alexandrite stone which my mother had placed in a ring and gave to me. The stone is about 3 karats. It does have a small chip. The story I have always been told is that my step grandfather purchased a bag of stones.....which my mother inherited..........from the boat people in the Philippines. He was Navy. This was a very long time ago when he acquired the stones. Mine is a deep purple color and changes in the light. sometimes to shade of green and pink. I have taken it to jewelers before and received mixed opinions as to whether it is real or not. Sometimes the jeweler will look at the stone and with trembling lower jaw, ask me if I know what I have. I say yes, an Alexandrite. Is it possible it is real since it was purchase so long ago. Probably in the 40's or 50's

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You need to take the gemstone to a certified gemologist who can analyze the stone thoroughly. Honestly though, I doubt it is real alexandrite. An alexandrite gemstone of the size - even from the 40s and 50s - would have been valued in the tens of thousands of dollars. Remember, we are talking about one of the rarest and most valuable gemstones in the world. And because synthetic alexandrite was produced well before this time, it is very possible that you have a synthetic alexandrite gemstone. Again, the only way to know for sure is to have the stone analyzed by a professional gemologist. I suggest checking the American Gem Society for a certified gemologist near you.

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alexandrite real or fake
by: melissa

Does real alexandrite glow under the black lite and is synthetic stone worth anything?

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Hi Melissa,

Real alexandrite does not unfortunately glow under black lights, it would make things much easier if it did! The only way to truly identify alexandrite is to have it analyzed by a certified gemologist, and in some cases a laboratory is needed to confirm the findings. Synthetic alexandrite is not worth much - unfortunately the synthetic varieties are not valuable at all.

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Real Alexandrite
by: Anonymous

I have my grandpa's sailor rings from the 1940's. The stone is almost 4 carats of real Alexander, how much do you think its worth?

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Hello,

Because synthetic Alexandrite was available before this time, and because this is such a rare gem (4 carats would be extraordinarily rare even for that time), it is best to have the ring evaluated by a certified gemologist so you can assess if the stone actually is real and if it is what its value would be worth.

Best of Luck!

Suzanne
Everything Wedding Rings

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Some easy ways to tell.
by: Kim Shaffer, G.G.

I am a G.I.A. trained Graduate Gemologist. I just happened upon this page while researching what people do with inherited colored gemstones.

There are some simple things a person can look at that will tell you positively that a gemstone is not an Alexandrite. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred (if not more) this will answer the question.

The vast majority of what people own that they think is Alexandrite is synthetic Alexandrite-like Sapphire. This is an inexpensive man-made stone.

If your stone changes from any color of purple to any color of blue, it is a synthetic Alexandrite-like Sapphire.

An Alexandrite, whether it is natural or synthetic (really Alexandrite, but man-made) will change from some color of red to some color of green. If you have a stone that does that, then you need to consult a gemologist.

I hope this information is of some help.

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my ring
by: Anonymous

it was my moms, her birthstone Alexandrite. It goes from a bluish-green in sun light and in artificial light, it changes to purple. Been trying to find a place to see if it is man-made or real and get it appraised. it looks to be like a 1/4 carat gem stone. the ring itself maybe a 10k gold ring.. So if anyone knows a reputable person in or around the S.E. Oklahoma area, let me know. I cannot seem to find one. Thanks for all or any help!

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Hello - Suzanne Gardner from Everything Wedding Rings, I edited out your email address so it wouldn't be published live. So, if anyone can recommend someone - do feel free to post it here! Also, I would recommend checking out the American Gem Society website to locate a certified gemologist in your area.

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My ring
by: Lara

I was given a alexandrite in 1962, my mom bought it for me thinking it was an amethyst. It goes to a rich purple in indoor lighting and then outdoors a blue green. I remember once under a strange sky it became a beautiful shade of green. But as I read more I think it is probably man made.

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Real rings
by: Roland

Hey my wife got this ring from her mom 40years well it is a alexandrite that sits in a 24k white gold we hat it looked at about 30years ago the person that a praised it tryed to buy it and offered my wife ten thousand she did not sell it well he told her if she ever get any one to aprais it later on do not let it out of her site and we haven't well another person offered my wife sixtey thousand for it two years ago we did not take it .the stone is about 3k so we would like to get it appraised by a professional and c what we really have.thank u for your time

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My find in a button box
by: Bobbie

While digging through an inherited button box I found a pair of earrings, silver metal later to be noted as silver and marked Jerusalem on the back. There were these strange stones in the earrings that would change color under different settings, deep pink or blue and I just knew I had found a treasure. But, once I took them to a jeweler in Los Angeles to have them set in a more modern pair of earrings I was assured that they were indeed lab created. My friend who owned these had made a world tour as war was breaking out in 1937-1938 and traveled to Jerusalem. The jeweler said many jewels made it to other countries at that time and lab created stones were made at that time as well.
So, no treasure except in sentimental memories. I love them and wear them often.

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Possible alexanderite
by: Sarah

I have a ring I think was from late 1800s to early 1900 from my 3rd or 4th time grandmother. I was told by one jewelry store that it was an alexanderite and needed to get it certified after I got new prongs on it. I'm not sure how big it is I think a carrot. It sometimes looks like a light mauve green sometimes gray greeneish. then a very light mauve sometimes kind of yellowish mauve.

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ring
by: jodi

hello how are you all? i was left a ring which belonged to my great grandfather but believe it could be older ..I have taken it to one jewellery who quoted me about $1000 to fix a claw as he said its set in lead and suggested i have the stone checked as he thought it was alexandrite. but then i took it to another jeweller who said its a amethest . as i child i always remember being told it changes colour its a purple colour but i have seen it change in sunlight to a pale green

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alexandrite identification
by: goonga niang

hi , i am N goonga , its very interesting , all thecomments ,,,, in my opignon the nearly truh one is MELISSA comment , yes you are right ! the real alexandrite dose not glow under black light , its inert ,,, the real alexandrite is only the one and unique stone that you can see the exitentions of the atomes direcly on the surface of the stone with good picture ! ,,, i hope the peoples will try to understand my very bad english , THANK YOU ALL !!!

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Is it a fake
by: Anonymous

I have a ring that was my mothers...set in gold with two tiny diamonds..it is about 1 carat..changes from green to bluish green to purple and reddish....I think it is around 60 years old...was purchased in a jewelry store....could it be real

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Hello,

We receive a lot of questions regarding whether or not a ring with an alexandrite-like gemstone is real. Keep in mind that alexandrite is one the rarest gemstones in the world - especially in sizes over 1/4 carat. Alexandrite gemstones 1 carat in size even 60 years ago would have been tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars - these were the type of gemstones reserved for use in jewelry crafted for royalty. They were purchased through private and specialty dealers and were not for sale in jewelry stores. The chances that your gemstone is a real alexandrite is pretty slim - it is most likely a synthetic or a color change chrysoberyl. However, if you would like to know for sure - the only way is to have the gemstone examined by a certified gemologist.

Suzanne Gardner
Everything Wedding Rings

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amazing alexandrite
by: Anonymous

yes yes suzana you are right ! , alexandrite is a very very and ultra rare !!! gemstone , and very very expensive , but also very very veeeeery BEAUTIFUL ! stone , a great quality alexandrite can cost 70000 dollars per carat , alexandrite is a having the top emerald and the top ruby with diamond shine in ONE STONE , its really amazing !

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Alexandrite Description
by: alexandrite collector david

Gemstone Fluorescence
Alexandrite (always fluoresces)red
Gemstone Shortwave Longwave
red red

Alexandrite, with its chameleon-like qualities, is a rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. Its color can be a lovely green in daylight or fluorescent light, changing to brownish or purplish red in the incandescent light from a lamp or candle flame. This is a result of the complex way the mineral absorbs light.

Alexandrite’s dramatic color change is sometimes described as "emerald by day, ruby by night." Other gems also change color in response to a light-source change, but this gem’s transformation is so striking that the phenomenon itself is often called "the alexandrite effect."

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Is my ring real
by: Anonymous

I got a ring from my grandma. She originally got it in Turkey around 40-50 years ago. Its color change during the day is usually blueish green, or it can be emerald green. The other color at night is reddish purple. It came in a set the ring has to be over 10 carats.

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my genuine Alexandrite 22cts ring
by: mala

I purchased Alexandrite gemstone from Sri Lanka. With sunlight it has a green color and with candle light it's color change green to purple red. And with UV light it is get dark red. The stone weight would be .45 cts. The gemstone is so clear and no any impurities to see. How do I say, it is real Alexandrite.

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Real alexandrite does fluoresce
by: Professional mineral dealer

Hi I’m a mjneral dealer and sell genuine alexandrite the the rough (not always Gemmy or worth cutting) Crystal form

Chrysoberyl crystals have a distinctive twinning thats unmistakable and very different from a synthetic boule so verifying raw crystals is much easier lol

I’m sorry to say 99% of the "alexandrite" jewelry I’ve seen has all been fake. Synthetic sapphire or glass. Another comment said it well : if your stone is ever any shade of blue it’s not genuine alexandrite Even if it’s heirloom. End of discussion. Sorry

Natural alexandrite can be somewhat dull and grayish. But never blue. Instead good ones are a distinct emerald green in sunlight. And yes they do indeed fluoresce under black light : a strong cherise red response which can also be observed by holding them up to an incandescent bulb

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Lost alexandrite ring
by: Molly Lavin

Hello, I am posting this under my private email with my fingers crossed... My mom went to Sri Lanka just after my step-dad died in 2017. She brought his ashes with her and she spread his ashes along the coast. It was a spiritual trip, and while she was in Sri Lanka she visited a gem dealer and bought an Alexandrite stone, 3.5 ct. Alexandrite loose gemstone that changed from a brownish green to pink. It was a remarkable stone, and she had it set in a ring she designed. The ring: 3.5carat Alexandrite center stone, 2.5 total carats diamonds on the sides, set in 18k white gold. It was crafted by a jeweler in California late in the summer of 2017. In October 2017, the ring was gone. My mom thinks she may have dropped it at a Halloween soccer tournament in Northern California (Sacramento area), that my twin daughters competed in. She hadn't owned it long enough to get used to its weight and size. My belief is that a family member stole the ring from her and sold it to a private party to which they would most likely have NO clue what it is worth! The value is more than just the dollar amount, it has a spiritual meaning in my mom's heart and she was grieving for the love of her life that had passed from cancer when she bought the stone, when it was set into the beautiful ring, and when it disappeared. Now we are here in the present day and I am still searching. I have searched many internet sites, jewelry stores, pawn shops, newspapers, lost and found ads, eBay, Craigslist, Etsy, Pinterest...I don't know where or who to turn to? Someone may want to have it appraised to learn the actual value of this one-of-a-kind ring? What else can I do to help my mom find it aside from posting the story? Please help! If anyone out there knows anything about an alexandrite ring that was found in the fall/winter of 2017, and coincidentally reads this, I am desperately searching for clues and I cannot rest knowing that she lost such a valuable item and doesn't have the will to look herself. The ring is a reminder of the love she once had, it is quite a painful loss. Thank you for reading and thank you for your help! -Molly

Hi Molly,

I'm so sorry to hear about this ring - do you have a picture of it? I really don't know how you could go about finding it, unless perhaps if some of your mother's friends are alive who might know. Best towards your search!

Suzanne Gardner
Everything Wedding Rings

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alexandrite
by: Anonymous

I have a large gemstone in sunlight is purple,blue, at night red and white light green is this an alexandrite

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Could it be real?
by: Donna

My mother purchased a ring in Siberia in the seventies. She was told it was an Alexandrite. It is a lovely oval set in a simple rose goldish setting. It appears to be a medium deep purplish color most of the time, however, some green can also be seen in it at times. Should I have it analyzed at a jewelers? It is a large stone.

Yes, if you suspect that it my be Alexandrite have it analyzed by a professional jeweler! (Suzanne Gardner with Everything Wedding Rings)

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Alexandrite???
by: Anonymous

I collect jewelry. I just realized that my beautiful emerald green ring turns completely red under a black light. It is a large stone-over 5 carats in a 14kt. Yellow gold setting. The woman I bought it from listed it as Tsavorite. When communicating with her, she admitted she couldn’t figure out what gemstone it was. I made her an offer that was $200 under her asking price.

When I saw that they don’t react or glow under a black light, I thought it was a fake. Then I saw the comment that they do indeed change under black light.

Now, I will get it checked out. I totally enjoy this site. Thank you,

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But is it an Alexandrite?
by: Anonymous

Hi! So i just inherited this pretty ring from my grandmother, she must have gotteb it in the 60s or 70s. The stone is rather big so i have no doubt that if it IS an Alex it’s definitely synthetic... however what I’m dying to know its if it is INDEED an alexandrite and not a spinel or cordonium. The stone is VERY clear with no flaws and shines this deep purlpy red under iridiscent light. Which changes to a more blueish purple under indirect sunlight and to a pretty mix of violet and blue under direct sunlight. I really want to know what it is. Alexandrites are my fave gems and to own one even if it was synthetic would make me really happy. Shamefully I live in a country where gemologists are perhaps harder to come by than natural Alexandrites thenselves haha

Anyway I hope i can get some help, and thanks

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