Green Alexandrite Gemstones

Green alexandrite owes its vivid daylight coloration to the presence of chromium in its crystal structure. When viewed in natural or fluorescent light, chromium ions absorb wavelengths in the red portion of the spectrum, allowing the green to blue-green wavelengths to be visible to the human eye. The exceptional clarity of high-quality green alexandrite allows light to travel through the crystal structure with minimal obstruction, enhancing the intensity of this natural color phenomenon. The rarest and most valuable specimens display a pure, vivid green reminiscent of fine emerald, without any brownish or grayish undertones that can diminish the stone’s aesthetic appeal.

Yes, the intensity of green in alexandrite is a primary indicator of its quality and value. The most sought-after specimens display a vivid, pure green with high saturation in daylight. This intense coloration typically commands a premium price in the market, especially when combined with excellent clarity. When evaluating a green alexandrite for purchase, the strength and purity of the green hue directly correlates to its worth—stones with weak or muddy green tones are considerably less valuable than those with strong, vibrant coloration. Additionally, a dramatic contrast between the daylight green and incandescent red further enhances a stone’s desirability and cost per carat.

While fine emeralds have historically commanded higher prices than alexandrite, top-quality green alexandrite can now exceed emerald in value, particularly for larger, flawless specimens. The extreme rarity of natural alexandrite in sizes above one carat significantly impacts its market price. Unlike emeralds, which are typically treated with oils or resins, high-quality alexandrite is usually free from enhancements, adding to its worth as a genuine, unaltered precious stone. For conflict-free gems of comparable size and quality, alexandrite’s dramatic color-change property creates an additional value dimension not present in emerald, making it an increasingly sought-after acquisition for serious collectors and investors.

The variation in green tones among alexandrite specimens stems primarily from minor differences in their chemical composition and crystal structure. Alexandrites with higher iron content often display more bluish-green coloration, while those with optimal chromium concentrations and minimal iron typically show a purer green. The bluish undertones can also be influenced by the stone’s country of origin—Brazilian alexandrites, for example, often exhibit more bluish-green hues than their Russian counterparts, which tend toward a more pure green. When buying alexandrite, this color nuance is an important consideration, as the most valuable stones generally display a vibrant emerald-green with minimal blue influence in daylight conditions.