Description
Alexandrite is named after Tsar Alexander II and is a variety of chrysoberyl. Alexandrite was discovered in the Urals in 1832. It is the most prized variety of chrysoberyl and has always been surrounded by legend; during the day, alexandrite looks like an emerald, and at night, like a ruby or an amethyst. This phenomenon is called the alexandrite effect. The stone became a symbol of life and positive change. Since 1832, the most important deposits have been located in the Tokowaya River Valley in the Urals. For a long time, this was the only source of alexandrite. Crystals measuring 4 cm have been found there. The Fersman Museum in Moscow houses a group of alexandrite crystals (Kochubei) weighing 5.38 kg and measuring 25 x 15 cm. Here, the alexandrites occur together with emeralds and phenakites in mica slate. They often exhibit the cat's-eye effect. Later, alexandrites were also found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. In Madagascar, they occur together with cymophane; alexandrites occur with emeralds in the gemstone deposits of the Somabul in Zimbabwe. Recently, they have also been found in India, South Africa, and Tanzania, and a few finds are also known from Australia.
