The world of color changing gemstones is fascinating, and one name that stands out is of the June birthstone, alexandrite. But how does nature know which elements to mix with which mineral for such a miraculous feat?
Well, maybe it doesn’t, and like other natural wonders, our June birthstone is also an outcome of a rare probability. Equally wondrous are the June borns who get to adorn alexandrite as their birthstone.
Meaning of the June Birthstone
Alexandrite received its name after the Russian Czar Alexander II. The name itself has its roots in ancient Greek (Aléxandros) where it means the ‘defender of people’ or the ‘protector of men’.
Men here stands for mankind and not gender. What do you think, is that too much for a gemstone to bear such weight?
Discovery of Alexandrite
In the early 1830s (some say 1834), a few men stumbled upon a green gemstone while mining for emeralds in the Ural Mountains in Russia.
Later, they realized that it wasn’t emerald but something else.
Since all mining activities in imperial Russia were under the control of Czar, the stone made its way to the royal court.
Subsequently, it received the name alexandrite in the honor of the future Czar Alexander II.
Did you know? The red and green colors of the June birthstone resembled the national military colors of imperial Russia and made it the national stone.
Official Recognition as June Birthstone
In 1912, the Jewelry Industry Council of America (now Jewelers of America) standardized the birthstones list.
It then designated pearl and moonstone as June birthstones. But in 1950, the council added alexandrite and called it the modern birthstone for June.
In the same meeting, it added pink tourmaline for October and citrine for November in the list of birthstones.
Secret Behind Color Change of Alexandrite
When laced with chromium, the mineral chrysoberyl gets the ability to react differently to different wavelengths of light.
That’s why it appears green under sunlight and red under incandescent light, earning it the name ‘emerald by day and ruby by night’.
Did you know? A rare variety of alexandrite displays the cat’s eye effect or chatoyancy.
Hardness & Durability of June Birthstone Alexandrite
Alexandrite gemstone is softer than diamonds, rubies and sapphires but harder than the January birthstone Garnet and the October birthstone Tourmaline.
It has a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale, above emerald, the May birthstone.
However unlike emerald, alexandrite is devoid of any cleavages, making it resilient to sudden blows.
The June birthstone more than makes up for that slight lag in hardness score. It commands a higher value than rubies and diamonds due to rarity.
Major Sources of Alexandrite Birthstone
Till the time Russian mines were producing alexandrites, they were the best in terms of color saturation and shift.
Russian alexandrites have set the benchmark even though the mines depleted a long time ago.
Now Russian stones are either found in private collections or family heirlooms. Today, Sri Lanka, Brazil, India, Madagascar, Myanmar, Tanzania and Zimbabwe cater to the worldwide demand for this June birthstone.
However, alexandrites from these origins are generally pale when compared side by side with Russian stones which exhibit vivid colors.
Did you know? The cat’s eye gemstone is the same mineral as alexandrite and it is also the birthstone of June.
Lab Created Alexandrite Gemstones
This June birthstone has a mystique, and it is also quite scarce, oftentimes fetching more than rubies and diamonds. Considering its demand in jewelry, scientists have created lab-made alexandrites.
Though made in a facility, these are no less than earth-mined alexandrite. These ‘synthetic’ stones have the same hardness, color-change and same chemical composition.
While lab-made alexandrites cost less, you should be wary of simulants in the market. You might come across color changing garnets or sapphires but they are altogether different minerals.
Did you know? Zandrite aka the color-changing glass imitation has nothing in common with alexandrite except sounding similar.
Alexandrite Birthstone and Celebrities
Alexandrite is a rare gemstone and likewise its appearance on the red carpet events or on celebs is also rare.
Film and TV actor Felicity Huffman wore an oval alexandrite diamond ring at the Golden Globes Awards in 2015.
The Scary Movie series’ famed Anna Farris dazzled in an Alexandrite & Diamond lizard brooch at the 65th Emmy Awards in 2013.
In addition, both Emma Roberts and Olivia Wilde have alexandrite rings. We’ve also seen Mila Kunis wearing a stunning alexandrite ring.
Most Famous Alexandrite Stones of the World
We’ve seen exceptionally large diamonds, and sapphire clusters running into hundreds of carats.
But with all its rarity, finding a June birthstone that surpasses everything we know is nothing short of extraordinary.
The Sauer Alexandrite is one such marvel. This uncut gem weighs a massive 122,400 carats. Unfortunately not much information is available about this stone.
The Whitney Alexandrite weighing 17.08 carats displays the most vibrant color change. It is kept at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
Did you know? A 21.41-carat alexandrite was sold at Christie’s for approximately $1.4 million, making it one of the priciest gemstones.
How to Buy June Birthstone Alexandrite
Buying an alexandrite is quite easy if your seller is reputed such as GemsNY. All you need to see is your desired color.
Whether you like light color or vivid for your June birthstone jewelry, the price depends on that.
Light color stones have more transparency but a weak color shift. On the contrary, dark colored alexandrites with a strong color change are pricier.
You should also ask for a certificate of authenticity to establish the provenance of your June birthstone. Also, if you wish your investment to grow, then go for natural alexandrite.
How to Wear Alexandrite Birthstone
Alexandrite pairs well with both rubies and emeralds due to its chameleon-like color change.
If you wear an alexandrite pendant necklace with a light color outfit, it will grab instant attention. For a matching look, go for ruby or emerald earrings if not alexandrite earrings.
If your hair is blonde or you keep an updo, a pair of alexandrite earrings with diamonds will take your charm to the next level.
And if you choose an alexandrite engagement ring, you choose to express your love in the most romantic way.
For a sundowner event, nothing scores better than alexandrite jewelry. As the sun sets, everyone around gets to witness its magical transformation from bluish-green to purple-red.
June Birthstone Care & Cleaning
Alexandrite has remarkable toughness, making it perfectly suitable for everyday jewelry. Since there is no cleavage, it’s unlikely to break or chip off with accidental blows.
Although it’s best to clean your alexandrite jewelry with warm soapy water, ultrasonic and steam cleaners are also safe. However, do keep in mind that the mounting is not loose while using ultrasonic cleaners.
Alexandrite Jewelry for You
Did you know? Apart from being a June birthstone, alexandrite is also the official stone for the 55th wedding anniversary.
The June birthstone jewelry looks incredibly appealing in white gold and platinum. It’s a sure fire way to catch attention and compliments especially if you pair it with diamonds or other gemstone jewelry. Here are some alexandrite jewelry to make you a star at any gathering.
Loose Alexandrite Gemstones: Whether pear, marquise, heart, or emerald cut, the June birthstone rocks every kind of jewelry. Gift it loose or set in a ring or pendant, it’s a timeless treasure.
Alexandrite Engagement/Wedding Rings: This Claddagh ring setting from our Unity Collection features the June birthstone in the most heart-melting way. Explore our collections to give a perfect shape to your love.
Alexandrite Pendants: Symbolizing passion with red and growth with green, an alexandrite pendant necklace is a great gift whether for a special occasion or simply just because.
Zodiac Signs, Their Soulmates, Birthstones, Zodiac Signs Dates, & Their Ruling Planets
| Zodiac Sign | Soulmates | Birthstone | Zodiac Signs Dates | Ruling Planets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aries | Leo, Sagittarius | Diamond | March 21 – April 19 | Mars |
| Taurus | Virgo, Capricorn | Emerald | April 20 – May 20 | Venus |
| Gemini | Libra, Aquarius | Pearl | May 21 – June 20 | Mercury |
| Cancer | Scorpio, Pisces | Ruby | June 21 – July 22 | Moon |
| Leo | Aries, Sagittarius | Peridot | July 23 – August 22 | Sun |
| Virgo | Taurus, Capricorn | Sapphire | August 23 – September 22 | Mercury |
| Libra | Gemini, Aquarius | Opal | September 23 – October 22 | Venus |
| Scorpio | Cancer, Pisces | Topaz | October 23 – November 21 | Mars |
| Sagittarius | Aries, Leo | Turquoise, Tanzanite | November 22 – December 21 | Jupiter |
| Capricorn | Taurus, Virgo | Garnet | December 22 – January 19 | Saturn |
| Aquarius | Gemini, Libra | Amethyst | January 20 – February 18 | Uranus |
| Pisces | Cancer, Scorpio | Aquamarine | February 19 – March 20 | Neptune |
