Color Change Sapphire Vs Alexandrite

Color change corundum was grown around 100 years ago the first time and used since then as an alexandrite simulant.

Color change sapphire vs alexandrite.

Most gemstones described as synthetic alexandrite are actually synthetic corundum laced with vanadium to produce the color change this alexandrite like sapphire material has been around for almost 100 years. Several other well known gemstones including diaspore sapphire garnet and spinel may also change color as a function of the light source but the color change of top alexandrites is. These would be more likely to be described as. Generally this refers to a laboratory grown sapphire that has been manufactured with trace elements that give it a color change effect similar to natural alexandrite.

As can be expected from anything so enviable real alexandrite has had its share of imposters. Although these gems are uncommon and valuable in their own right they are sometimes marketed misleadingly as alexandrites. The color changes that can be seen in these rare sapphires are similar to color combinations that we see in some other gemstones like alexandrite. I bet it is a man made color change sapphire so many are sold on ebay as alexandrite but the name is deceiving.

Natural sapphires can also show a color change effect but it is usually less pronounced. Finding green to red is extremely rare in sapphire whereas that is the norm for alexandrite. However not all color change chrysoberyls have the classic range of colors that alexandrites show. Most color change sapphires change from blue to purple.

Alexandrite is a very rare and valuable variety of chrysoberyl that shows color change. According to gia alexandrite s finest dual colors are a vivid grass green in daylight and fluorescent light and an intense raspberry red in incandescent light. A lot of alexandrite heirloom jewelry uses this corundum that often contains vanadium to produce the color change. Lab created alexandrite vs.

Color change sapphire vs. One common offender is the color change sapphire which has been passed off as alexandrite for years. The color changing property of alexandrite is known as alexandrite effect and is a result of chromium traces found in the gemstone. The chromium traces cause strong light absorption in the yellow and blue parts of the spectrum.

The absorption band 580 nm allows the alexandrite to change color from red to green when seen under different. Many modern sources frequently use emerald by day ruby by night to romanticize alexandrite s color. Often synthetic materials are used to duplicate it.