Can Alexandrite be enhanced?

That is why all our alexandrites are natural. Clarity Enhancement in Alexandrite can either occur by accident, or because someone may try to hide inclusions. An Alexandrite With Clarity Enhancement (GIA) For example, GIA made a note about Clarity Enhancement on this 0.27 round Alexandrite.

Can Alexandrite be heat treated?

While Alexandrite was originally mined in Russia, today it is mined in Sri Lanka, East Africa, India, and Brazil, and unlike most color gemstones, Alexandrite is never heat-treated.

How do I change the color of my Alexandrite?

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 light.

What does heating do to gemstones?

Heat treatment is most commonly used to alter color but is also used to increase clarity. Rubies and sapphire can require significantly higher temperature to alter color and change clarity. Heating is used to either lighten, darken or alter the color of a gem.

Does natural alexandrite change color?

Alexandrites are remarkable and rare gemstones. They display an extraordinary colour change according to the ambient lighting, from emerald green in daylight to ruby red in incandescent light from tungsten lamps or candles.

What color lab created alexandrite?

Adapting to varying light sources/conditions, alexandrite exhibits chameleon-like qualities with a lustrous green in daylight or fluorescent light and an earthy brown to purplish red with incandescent light (from a lamp) or by candle flame.

Can you heat treat sapphires at home?

If your sapphire has good clarity and a color you like…DO NOT HEAT TREAT IT. We always suggest faceting good natural color stones as a “Natural”. Remember, we heat treat to change the color on purpose, so if you like the natural color of your stone, don’t heat treat it.

Are heated gemstones bad?

Durability: Since most gem crystals were formed under high temperatures, when it comes to wearability and durability heating usually does not have a negative effect on a gemstone. Also, the color stability (resistance to fading or color changing) of heated gems is usually very good and they are super stable.

Are heat treated sapphires valuable?

Heating is an accepted treatment for sapphire. But for fine-quality sapphire, confirmation from an independent laboratory like GIA that there is no evidence of heat adds to a sapphire’s rarity and value.

What stone is similar to alexandrite?

Only sapphires and garnets can show any real resemblance to alexandrite. Color change sapphires are basically known to occur in two types; the ones that change from blue to purple and the ones that change from green to red.