

How to choose an alexandrite engagement ring So, how much is a real alexandrite ring? For a lab-created one, the price usually starts from $ 1,300. The price of a lab-created alexandrite ring is very attractive in comparison to a ring with a natural stone.As for color change, a lab-created alexandrite will exhibit the same “emerald by day, ruby by night” effect as a natural one.Many inclusions affect the way a stone reflects light: the fewer inclusions, the purer and more transparent the stone. Lab-created alexandrite has very few inclusions as already mentioned.Both natural and lab-grown alexandrites feature the same hardness of 8.5 and both are great to withstand wear and tear.Why an lab-created alexandrite engagement ring is no less excellent than a natural alexandrite engagement ring: They cost also less than their natural counterparts, yet still rank among the most expensive synthetic gemstones. Lab-grown alexandrites are real but not natural. Their physical and chemical characteristics are identical. So, a true lab-created alexandrite is made of the same material as a natural one. It looks like alexandrite, but has a different mineral composition as well as qualities! A lab-grown alexandrite is more expensive than synthetic corundum and vendors can try to hoodwink customers to make extra profit from the price difference. Still, the name synthetical alexandrite is often used to describe synthetically-grown corundum. They have the same mineral composition and feature all the same chemical, physical, and optical properties yet they are much more affordable than natural. Since there are not enough of them to meet the demand of customers, there are synthetic alexandrites, created in a lab. The price of natural alexandrite can start from $ 10,000 per carat. Natural alexandrites are very rare to find in nature ( it’s one of the rarest gemstones) and hence, they are very expensive. Lab-created vs Natural alexandrite engagement rings Let us have a closer look at the lab-created alexandrites and their advantages. Natural alexandrite however is a Type II clarity stone which means it usually has some inclusions. Thirdly, if you choose a lab-created alexandrite for your ring, you’ll have almost perfect clarity of the stone and will get color purity without paying a fortune. The alexandrite is very scratch-resistant. Since we are talking about engagement rings, this hardness is great for everyday wear. Secondly, alexandrite (as well as chrysoberyl in general) is a very hard stone, with its good 8.5 hardness on the Mohs scale. This color change may vary from a mesmerizing strong hue of a very expensive fine quality alexandrite to the delicate moderate coloration of an affordable alex. Alexandrite’s color change fascinates people since 1830 - the year alexandrite was discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountains. Why is alexandrite great for engagement rings?įirst and foremost, because of its unique beauty. You will not find two totally equal alexandrites with the same intensity and colors. Others can display the color change from blue to brown-red, etc.

So, the most valuable high-quality gems would have a 100% color shift from pure green to pure red.

The stronger the dual colors are, the more valuable the stone becomes.Īlexandrite may have a strong change, as well as not so intense: the stones can exhibit from 100% to just 5% color change. The color change dramatically affects the value of the stone. But alexandrite is a unique variation of chrysoberyl that shows a very unusual optical effect - a color change (that gemologists also call “reverse”) from green/blue to red/ purple under different lights. There are chrysoberyls of many different green or yellow hues (one of them is in the picture above). One of those is an alexandrite engagement ring.Ībout other great alternatives, you can read in our Complete guide to alternative engagement rings.Īlexandrite stone comes from the chrysoberyl family. Apart from diamonds, there are lots of offers for colored gem rings you can choose from. They refuse classic diamond rings and opt for colored alternatives in different hues for thousands of financial, stylistic, and ethical reasons. Table of Contents Why an alexandrite engagement ring?Įngagement rings with colored stones became very popular in recent years, especially among millennials. In this article, you’ll find inspirational ideas & tips on how to choose the best alexandrite engagement ring for you or your soulmate. Thoughtfully choosing the design and paying attention to the quality of the stone, you can get the most beautiful unconventional ring you’ve ever dreamed of. Lots of couples nowadays decide on alexandrite engagement rings and wedding bands.
