Alexandrite · FAQ
Alexandrite: Every Question, Answered
The complete question set from alexandrite buyers — buying, pricing, certification, and origins in one place.
What makes one alexandrite so much more valuable than another of the same size?
The strength and completeness of the color change matters more than almost anything else — a dramatic full shift from green to red is rare and commands a steep premium over a weak or partial shift, even at identical carat weight.
Can I trust a color change I see in a seller's photo?
Not fully — photography and single-lighting displays can exaggerate a weak color-change stone. Ask to view the stone (or a video of it) under both daylight and incandescent light before buying.
Why is alexandrite so expensive compared to other chrysoberyl varieties like cat's eye?
Its rarity — a genuine, strong color-change effect in natural chrysoberyl above 1 carat is exceptionally scarce, which puts fine alexandrite among the most expensive colored stones per carat in the world.
How can a lab tell natural alexandrite from a synthetic color-change imitation?
Standard gemological testing (refractive index, specific gravity, and spectral analysis) reliably distinguishes genuine chrysoberyl from synthetic color-change corundum or garnet, even when the visual color-change effect looks similar.
Is Russian alexandrite always better than Tanzanian alexandrite?
Confirmed Russian origin carries strong historic value, but the deposits are largely depleted, so most fine alexandrite available today is Tanzanian — judge the individual stone's color-change strength rather than assuming origin alone sets quality.
Does EmeraldVault sell alexandrite directly?
Yes — browse certified alexandrite listings directly in our catalog, sourced through our verified dealer network. If you don't see the exact stone you need, contact us and we'll help.
Dig deeper
Each topic above has a full Alexandrite guide: buying, pricing, and certification, plus origin pages for Russia (Ural Mountains) Alexandrite and East Africa (Tanzania) Alexandrite — or start from the Alexandrite overview. Site-wide questions are covered on the main FAQ page.
Still Have a Question?
Ask us directly, or browse certified alexandrite already in our catalog.