alexandrite

[ al-ig-zan-drahyt, -zahn- ]

noun

, Mineralogy.

1. a variety of chrysoberyl, green by daylight and red-violet by artificial light, used as a gem.

alexandrite

/ ˌælɪɡˈzændraɪt /

noun

1. a green variety of chrysoberyl used as a gemstone

Word History and Origins

Origin of alexandrite¹

1830–40; named after Alexander I of Russia; -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of alexandrite¹

C19: named after Alexander I (1777–1825), tsar of Russia (1801–25); see -ite ¹

Example Sentences

The next month, she made another expensive purchase: a diamond and alexandrite ring.

From New York Times

The fugitive greenish hue of a rare alexandrite at another booth she likened to “the color of petrol.”

From New York Times

A small sterling silver ring with a blue alexandrite center stone surrounded by tiny gems of cubic zirconium was also found with the body.

From Los Angeles Times

Rich finds of a valuable ruby, sapphire, cat’s-eye, amethyst, alexandrite or star stone, are comparatively rare; it is only of the commoner gems, such as moonstone, garnet, spinels, that a steady supply is obtained.

From Project Gutenberg

Occasional alexandrites, so called in honor of the Russian Czar, are found in the island.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Alexandrite

What is alexandrite?

Alexandrite is a very rare, transparent gemstone that appears green-blue in daylight but changes to red-violent under incandescent light.

It is one variety of the mineral chrysoberyl.

Due to its rarity and unique color-changing ability, naturally occurring alexandrite is extremely expensive, often surpassing even the price of precious stones like emeralds and diamonds. A small gemstone can reach a very high price. For this reason, synthetic alexandrite is popular for jewelry making.

Alexandrite is one of the birthstones for the month of June. It is associated with the zodiac signs Gemini and Cancer. It is also the gemstone for a 55th wedding anniversary.

Example: Having an alexandrite ring is almost like having two different pieces of jewelry—one with a green stone and one with a red stone.

Where does alexandrite come from?

The first records of the word alexandrite come from the 1830s—around the time it was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia (making it a relatively modern discovery in the world of gemstones and minerals). It’s named after Russian Tsar Alexander I, who was tsar from 1801–1825. The suffix -ite is used to denote a mineral.

Alexandrite is a variety of the mineral chrysoberyl, which consists of beryllium aluminate. It is found naturally in Russia, Sri Lanka, East Africa, and Brazil, but natural alexandrite is very rare.

Did you know … ?

What are some words that share a root or word element with alexandrite? 

• Alexander I

What are some words that often get used in discussing alexandrite?

• gem
• gemstone
• green
• red
• rare
• birthstone
• June
• chrysoberyl

How is alexandrite used in real life?

Alexandrite is known for its rarity and color-changing quality. Natural alexandrite is extremely expensive, so artificial alexandrite is popular for jewelry.

seriously, alexandrite changes color in the light. it's often referred to as "ruby by day, emerald by night" because of the color changes. in fact, when it was first discovered, the gemologist who was asked to examine it thought it was an emerald until he saw it at night.

— EricaJoy (@EricaJoy) January 3, 2019

If the time ever comes I want a moonstone or alexandrite engagement ring(white gold) 😍

— 𝓢𝓲𝓮𝓻𝓻𝓪 𝓑𝓮𝓽𝓱 (@MsSierraBeth) May 17, 2021

A brooch with a synthetic Alexandrite, a gem variety of chrysoberyl that changes color in different lights pic.twitter.com/SG00i1GX4X

— Fossil Locator (@FossilLocator) December 10, 2020

Try using alexandrite!

True or False?

Alexandrite changes color depending on the type of light.