THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO REAL ALEXANDRITES

Real alexandrite is a rare, natural color-changing variety of chrysoberyl. Unlike lab-created or synthetic alexandrite, natural alexandrite forms in the earth and typically changes from green or bluish-green tones in daylight to purple, purplish-red or reddish tones under warm incandescent light. Genuine alexandrite can come from several origins, including Brazil, Russia, Sri Lanka, India, Tanzania and Madagascar, with color change, clarity, size, origin and overall quality all influencing its value. For significant stones, an independent gemological laboratory report is the most reliable way to confirm that an alexandrite is natural.

If you are considering buying alexandrite, this guide explains how to identify real alexandrite, what natural alexandrite is worth, how alexandrite price is determined, how origins differ, and what to look for in a gemological certificate.

Real Alexandrite - The Rarest Gemstone?

What is a Real Alexandrite?

Alexandrite is a rare, color-changing variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. Natural alexandrite is prized for its ability to display distinctly different colors under different types of light. Fine examples may appear green to bluish-green in daylight and shift toward purple, purplish-red or reddish tones under warm incandescent light. The strength, quality and colors of this change vary from stone to stone, which is one of the characteristics that makes each natural alexandrite unique.

The alexandrite birthstone is specifically meant for all those born in June. Hence its taken the name June Birthstone. Additionally, it is also the 55th wedding anniversary gift. For those looking to own this rare gemstone, explore our collection of natural alexandrite rings, handcrafted with genuine, untreated alexandrites. One thing that must be kept in mind while purchasing this stone is that the more apparent the color change, the better is the quality. When this is the case, the alexandrite price tends to be higher. 

Considered to be one of the most cherished gemstones, the real alexandrite stone can be found across the world in today’s times. We will delve into its origins and history in a short while. Let us first look at some of the available lab definitions of the alexandrite gem.

Alexandrite Stone: Lab Definitions

American Gemological Laboratories (AGL): An Alexandrite stone is a Chrysoberyl where the dominant hue distinctly changes under different lighting conditions.

Swiss Gemological Institute (SSEF):  Alexandrite is a variety of chrysoberyl with a definite colour change due to the presence of chromium traces. The different colours appear due to the light source under which the stone is observed. The effect depends on the amount and distribution of colour-giving trace elements. The two colours are usually blue-green in daylight and purplish-red in incandenscent light.

Gemological Institute of America (GIA): Any color change (not shift) makes Chrysoberyl into Alexandrite stone.

GemResearch SwissLab (GRS): Alexandrite stone is a chromium-bearing color-changing Chrysoberyl.

Gübelin Gem Lab (GUB): An Alexandrite stone is a variety of gem Chrysoberyl, which changes its main hue from daylight to incandescent light.

Real Alexandrite vs Lab-Created Alexandrite

Real alexandrite and lab-created alexandrite can share similar chemical and physical properties, but they differ fundamentally in how they were formed. Natural alexandrite forms in the earth through geological processes, while lab-created alexandrite is grown artificially in a controlled environment. A lab-created stone may still display an attractive color change, but it should not be represented or valued as a natural alexandrite.

This distinction is especially important because appearance alone is not always enough for a buyer to determine whether an alexandrite is natural. Synthetic gemstones can be manufactured to resemble natural stones closely, and some alexandrite imitations are actually different gemstones or materials altogether. For a significant purchase, an independent gemological laboratory report can provide important confirmation of whether the stone is natural or laboratory-grown.

Price can also be an important warning sign. Fine natural alexandrite is exceptionally scarce, particularly in larger sizes with strong color change and good clarity. A large stone advertised as “natural alexandrite” at an unusually low price deserves additional scrutiny. Price alone cannot prove authenticity, however, so buyers should consider the seller, disclosure, gemstone characteristics and independent documentation together.

Safiya specializes in natural, untreated alexandrites rather than lab-created stones. If you would like to understand synthetic alexandrite in greater detail—including how it is produced and how it differs from natural material—read our guide to lab-created alexandrite.

The True History of Alexandrites

Much like other birthstones, the alexandrite stone was discovered only in the 19th century, before which it was utterly unknown to the world. It was the auspicious event of Prince Alexander II’s birthday when this precious stone was first discovered in the emerald mines near the Tokovaya River in Russia’s Ural mountains in 1830.

Alexander II. Emperor of the Russian Empire 1855 until his assassination in 1881.

The story of the origins of alexandrite goes something like this: Russian miners were working on the Ural mountains in search of emeralds. One miner collected a few emeralds and took them back to the camp at night. When the miners saw the stone in the light of the campfire, they were shocked as the stone shone a brilliant shade of red which was not the color of emeralds.

While this is a local story, the official credit for discovering the Russian alexandrite goes to a person called Yakov Vasilevich Kokovin or Y.A. Kokovin. He was the Ural Mountain Mine Manager in the 1800s, and it is only through a single publication by the historian Richard A. Wise that we get to know about the history of alexandrite.

It was because the stone’s sometimes red and sometimes green colors resembled the Old Imperial Russia military colors that the alexandrite was declared to be the national stone in Tsarist Russia. The stone went on to become one of the most valued gems and a matter of great showoff among the Russian aristocracy. Gradually it was believed that the stone was becoming extinct.

Fortunately, expeditions and searches stumbled upon larger deposits of the alexandrite stone in Ceylon, now in Sri Lanka, and later in Brazil.

The Whitney Alexandrite

The Whitney alexandrite gets its name from Coralyn Wright Whitney, who gifted this gem to the National Gem Collection. Found in the Hematite Mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil, the Whitney alexandrite is one of the finest contributions of Brazil. It changes color under the impact of different lights, much like any other alexandrite.

An image of the stone can leave anybody spellbound. One color is raspberry red which can be seen during the night, and the other color is teal or green-blue, which can be seen during the day. The unique light-changing characteristic of alexandrites, including the fine quality Brazilian alexandrite called Whitney alexandrite, is also known as “the alexandrite effect.”

The reality, however, is that the dramatic color shift that you may read about in a lot of articles and blogs is actually not true most of the time. Only the rarest and the best quality alexandrites will exhibit this quality, while in a majority of the stones, the color change is almost non-existent.

The Whitney alexandrite stone can be found at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. This stone weighs approximately 17.08 carats, but its estimated value is unknown.

Russia’s Controversial Alexandrite History

There is a widely popular but controversial story regarding the history of this enigmatic gemstone- the alexandrite. Scientific publications regarding the stone and its official name as alexandrite were carried out by a Finnish mineralogist Nils Gustaf Nordenskjold in 1842. However, the stone was actually discovered much before by workers at a mine in the Ural mountains.

Nils Gustaf Nordenskjold

In 1831, after Kokovin opened the famous Emerald Pits on the river Tokovaya, a local peasant charcoal-burner named Maxim Stefanovich Kogevnikov came across a cluster of beautiful green emeralds, which was later on discovered to change color at night. Despite such discovery under the supervision of Kokovin, it is still unclear to date why he was relieved of his duties soon after the incident.

Historical evidence also shows that Kokovin was briefly imprisoned, and all of this disgrace and dishonor led to his poor health. The reasons remain unknown. Controversy also exists in terms of the apparent animosity between Kokovin and yet another name associated with the stone- Count L.A. Perovskii. To read more download our Free Alexandrite Ebook.

The Discovery of The First Russian Alexandrite

The Russian Imperial Mineralogical Society was established in 1817, and the discovery of the first Russian alexandrite has been traced back to this establishment. However, there is still an abundance of uncertainties and secrecy associated with the actual discovery. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has officially stated that the Russian Alexandrite was first discovered in 1830 by a group of miners in the Ural mountains.

However, even an institution of such great eminence and popularity like the GIA has refrained from going into the details of the discovery or coming up with a single name of the person who chanced upon it. This ambiguity says a lot about the nature of the discovery and the probable politics attached to it.

While narrowing down the real individual behind the discovery of the Russian alexandrite has been challenging, there was yet another matter that complicated the entire scenario. This was that Chrysoberyl (the mineral from which alexandrite hails) had already been discovered long before 1830. The question then arises that whoever distinguished chrysoberyl from beryl or emerald due to the noticeable color change must have been someone with a good deal of mineral knowledge.

Who can we attribute the eureka moment to? Who was the individual that realized this was a new variety of stone and coined its name? These questions remain in the minds of gem and jewelry enthusiasts. Due to these nuanced circumstances, pinning the discovery of the natural alexandrite becomes difficult.

There are too many people involved and yet not a specific person to be named. Therefore, the answer to the question depends on who attributes what as discovery. Some may say the regular miner is the one, while others say a knowledgeable mineral expert is the one.

Who Coined The Name ‘Alexandrite’?

The name for this is widely and popularly known to be the Finnish mineralogist- Nils Gustaf Nordenskjold. Various sources and records credit him with the discovery of the first samples of the Russian alexandrite. Gustaf named it alexandrite as a form of tribute to the future Tsar on the occasion of his birthday celebration in the Ural mountains, where the stone was discovered.

Gustaf’s family archive and other historical documents are reviewed over the course of the book ‘Russian Alexandrites.’ Along with the archives, several letters and correspondence written by him were also scrutinized. However, the word “Alexandrite” was never mentioned in those letters before 1842. However, we cannot tell if this was because Gustaf was not the one who coined the name or because the government censored a great deal of information in these letters.

How Much Is Real Alexandrite Worth?

The value of a natural alexandrite can vary enormously depending on its quality. Unlike gemstones that can be priced primarily by carat weight, alexandrite value is strongly influenced by the strength and quality of its color change, the attractiveness of its colors in different lighting conditions, clarity, cut, carat weight and, geographic origin.

Fine natural alexandrites with an attractive green or bluish-green daylight color and a strong change toward purple, purplish-red or reddish tones under warm incandescent light are considerably rarer than stones showing weak color change or less desirable brownish or grayish tones. Larger high-quality stones are especially scarce, so alexandrite price per carat can rise substantially as size and quality increase.

There is therefore no single reliable “alexandrite price per carat” that applies to every stone. Two natural alexandrites of the same weight can have very different values because their color change, clarity, cut and overall quality differ. When evaluating an expensive alexandrite, buyers should consider the gemstone itself together with documentation from a reputable independent gemological laboratory.

Alexandrite Auction History

Let us look at the highest alexandrite costs and alexandrite price per carat through the auction history of this precious gem. At the Magnificent Jewels New York Auction, one of the most expensive alexandrites from Sri Lanka was sold at a whopping $557,000.00. It would be just over $30,000 per carat at $18.23 carats. The American Gemological Laboratories attested the stone by writing about the significance and prestige attached to this genuine alexandrite stone.

Over the years, the Christie’s Auction earned massive fame as it became the site of selling some of the largest known alexandrite stones. In October 2007, one of the largest alexandrites from Brazil was sold in the Magnificent Jewels Auction at 19.05 carats. The alexandrite and diamond ring sold for a huge sum of $959,400. That amounts to more than $50k per carat.

A few years later, in 2014, yet another large 21-carat Russian alexandrite was auctioned at Christie’s held in the Geneva Magnificent Jewels, Switzerland. After much bidding, the stone was sold at $60,000 per carat. Then again, in 2015, a 26-carat Ceylon alexandrite was auctioned by Sotheby’s in Magnificent Jewels, New York. The final price stood at $754,000.00.

Over the years, there have been many natural alexandrite gemstones that have come from Brazil and other places across the world. An alexandrite and diamond ring was auctioned at the Hong Kong Magnificent Jewel Auction at a whopping $931,000 or just under $60,000 per carat. In 2017, a 9.99-carat Brazilian alexandrite sold for $313,000.00.

The Alexandrite Effect

The alexandrite effect refers to the distinct change in color that natural alexandrite can display under different light sources. The strength and appearance of this change vary from stone to stone and are influenced by the gemstone’s chemistry, trace elements, cut and overall quality. A weaker color change does not by itself mean that a stone is not natural.

To observe the effect, first view the alexandrite in daylight or a daylight-equivalent light source. Natural stones may show green, bluish-green, yellowish-green or other mixed tones depending on the individual gem. Then view the same stone under warm incandescent light, where it may shift toward purple, purplish-red, reddish-purple or related tones.

The most desirable alexandrites typically show a strong, attractive and clearly distinguishable change between lighting conditions. However, color appearance alone should not be used to confirm authenticity or origin. For an important purchase, an independent gemological laboratory report is the best way to determine whether an alexandrite is natural and to document its observed color change.

Alexandrite Origins

Natural alexandrite has been found in several parts of the world, including Russia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, India, Tanzania and Madagascar. Stones from these deposits can show differences in color, clarity, size and color-change characteristics, which has led collectors to associate certain appearances with particular origins.

However, an alexandrite’s geographic origin should not be determined from color or appearance alone. Characteristics can overlap considerably between deposits, and two stones from the same country may look very different from one another. Likewise, alexandrites from different countries can sometimes appear remarkably similar.

For collectors and buyers for whom geographic origin is important, an opinion from a reputable independent gemological laboratory is considerably more reliable than visual identification alone. Origin determination is separate from establishing whether an alexandrite is natural, and not every laboratory report automatically includes an origin opinion.

Alexandrites from Madagascar

It is a common misconception among people and sometimes even jewelry enthusiasts that alexandrites from Madagascar have a darker or browner tone. This presumption oversees the fact that some of the finest alexandrites produced in the market today are originally from Madagascar. These tend to have a blue-green color under daylight.

The lower quality alexandrites, which are also found in plenty, tend to have the dominant brown colors. Often, the stone with a muddy green color under daylight will show a brown modifier shade when held under incandescent light. However, the way to confirm that the alexandrite gemstone is of superior quality is when the green shade is overpowering than any other shade when kept under daylight.

You will know that it is of even better quality when the green shade also has a bluish tinge. On the other hand, the purple shade will also have a pink-purple intensity of color, and this is a true competition to the alexandrites found in the rest of the world. Ensure that the alexandrites you purchase are from a reputable source or carries a reputable gem lab report. On our website, you will find that alexandrites over 1ct possess a GIA report and all our pieces carry a proof of authenticity.  Since we buy our alexandrites directly from the Hematita mine in Brazil and manufacture our own jewelry, we can guarantee the authenticity of the stones we use.

3.55ct top quality natural alexandrite from Madagascar.  High quality Madagascar and Tanzanian material can resemble Brazlian Alexandrites but are extremely rare.  The majority of the stones appear brownish with a muddy color change.

Alexandrites from India

Among the most superior-quality alexandrites found in the world, those originating from India are some great stones. These have a distinct pure green appearance when seen in daylight. Through many of our gemstone mining connections in India, we have found that the alexandrites coming from Orissa are smaller in size than usual (<0.5 cts).

The emerald color during the daytime is usually a rich grassy green hue. However, the purple seen under incandescent light is not as dramatic as is the case in alexandrites found in other parts of the world. It can be described ranging from medium to light in its saturation.

While the production of alexandrites is relatively limited in India, the best quality ones range from hues of occasional blue-green to rich purple.

Alexandrites from Sri Lanka

Earlier known as Ceylon, the exotic country of Sri Lanka is commonly referred to as the “Island of Gems.” The shade of these alexandrites is slightly different from the shades found in Madagascar or India. The Sri Lankan alexandrite is yellowish-green in appearance when seen in daylight. These stones are also larger in size than the alexandrites found elsewhere. The larger size, however, does not mean a more dramatic color change.

The few Sri Lankan alexandrites that boast dramatic color change remain extraordinarily scarce. These are usually not found to be sold in commercial markets and those that are, are exorbitantly priced. Trying to figure out the difference between alexandrites from Madagascar and Sri Lanka has proved to be extremely difficult.

What happens, in reality, is that the local suppliers in Sri Lanka source the natural and rough alexandrites from Madagascar and cut the material here. Once these are polished, it is a challenging task to trace the source of the gemstone. Ultimately, labs have the knowledge, training, and equipment to determine the origin of any alexandrite gemstone.

Alexandrites from Russia

Russia holds a special place in alexandrite history because the gemstone was first identified in the Ural Mountains in the 19th century. Fine historic Russian alexandrites became celebrated for their color change and association with Imperial Russia, helping establish the gemstone's reputation among collectors.

Russian alexandrite is often associated with the famous description “emerald by day, ruby by night.” In practice, however, natural Russian alexandrites can display a range of colors and color-change strengths. Fine examples may show attractive green or bluish-green tones in daylight and shift toward purplish-red or reddish-purple under incandescent light, while other stones may display less dramatic changes.

Fine natural Russian alexandrites—particularly larger stones combining strong color change, good clarity and attractive color—are exceptionally scarce and can be highly desirable to collectors. However, a stone should not be identified as Russian simply because it displays a particular color combination or because it has an older style of cutting. Alexandrites from different geographic sources can share similar visual characteristics.

Buyers should also be cautious when a gemstone is marketed as “Russian alexandrite” without supporting documentation. For a valuable stone where Russian origin materially affects the purchasing decision, an origin opinion from a reputable independent gemological laboratory provides much stronger evidence than appearance or seller description alone.

Alexandrites from Tanzania

The nature of Tanzanian alexandrites remains elusive as experts often confuse them with those originating from Brazil and Madagascar. This is because of the similarity in the characteristics between all of these. When held under daylight, the alexandrites from Tanzania display a light Mediterranean bluish-green color. As per our experience, they exhibit a dramatic color change in incandescent light.

Most of the alexandrites found in Tanzania come from Lake Manyara in the north and Tunduru in the south. On our recent trip to the country, we were unsuccessful in finding any alexandrites, and this is testimony to the rarity of any original Tanzanian alexandrites.

Alexandrites from Brazil

Brazil became an important source of natural alexandrite following major discoveries in Minas Gerais in the 1980s. The Hematita mining region became particularly well known for producing alexandrite, and Brazilian material has since become highly regarded among gemstone collectors.

Fine Brazilian alexandrites can display attractive green to bluish-green tones in daylight and shift toward purple, purplish-red or reddish-purple tones under warm incandescent light. However, Brazilian alexandrites vary considerably in appearance and quality. Color alone should not be used to determine that an alexandrite is Brazilian, as stones from other deposits can display overlapping characteristics.

Large, fine-quality natural alexandrites are exceptionally scarce, and this is true of desirable Brazilian material as well. As carat weight increases, finding a stone that also combines strong color change, attractive colors, good clarity and a well-proportioned cut becomes increasingly difficult.

Brazil and Russia are both historically important sources of alexandrite, but geographic origin by itself does not determine which stone is “better.” The quality and beauty of the individual gemstone—including its color change, clarity, cut and size—are more useful considerations when comparing alexandrites.

Safiya specializes in natural, untreated Brazilian alexandrites and has worked with Brazilian material for decades. When geographic origin is important to a purchase, an origin opinion from a reputable independent gemological laboratory provides stronger evidence than appearance or seller claims alone.

Alexandrite Cat’s Eye

This is a double phenomenon stone that changes color and has “chatoyancy” which provides a cat’s eye effect. It’s extremely rare and expensive and although Safiya Alexandrites do not have any alexandrite cat’s eye designs on display, we have had them in the past so please contact us for help sourcing one.

Classifying Alexandrites

It is a far too restrictive statement when certain experts or jeweler enthusiasts claim that alexandrite is a kind of chrysoberyl that changes from green to red. A more apt description would be to classify them as possessing a greenish hue in fluorescent light and a reddish hue under incandescent light. The actual colors, however, have a far more expansive range. Some common examples of the colors displayed by alexandrites include:

• Green to purplish-pink
• Bluish-green to purple
• Green-blue to purplish-red
• Green to grayish purple
• Yellowish-green to brownish-purple

Dr. Malsy is a gemstone expert who has written extensively on colored gemstones and has even published a well-researched article on distinguishing between genuine alexandrites and synthetic ones. She writes how she has never seen a purely red alexandrite but only varying shades, including purple, reddish-purple, or purplish-red.

Ideal Lighting Conditions To Witness Alexandrite’s Color Change

You can witness an alexandrite’s color change in two ideal conditions. The shade of green can be seen in natural/daylight corresponding to a range between 5500K to 6500K. To view the second color change, you need a yellow, warm light ranging between 2700K to 3600K.

Gem Labs (Certificates)

What is a gem lab?

An independent gemological laboratory examines gemstones using specialized equipment and trained gemologists and issues a report describing its findings. For alexandrite, a laboratory report can be particularly valuable because it can help establish whether the gemstone is natural or laboratory-grown and whether detectable treatments are present.

Depending on the laboratory and type of report requested, a gemological report may include:

• Weight and measurements
• Shape and cutting style
• Gemstone identification and variety
• Color description
• Whether the stone is natural or laboratory-grown
• Treatment information, when applicable
• A photograph or other identifying information
• Geographic origin opinion, when requested and when the laboratory is able to determine one

Geographic origin is not automatically included with every report and may require additional testing and fees. It is also important to understand that a gemological report is an expert laboratory opinion based on the stone examined and the testing available at the time; it is not an appraisal of the gemstone's monetary value.

What are some of the reputable gem labs?

For a significant natural alexandrite purchase, a report from a respected independent gemological laboratory can provide valuable reassurance about the gemstone's identity and characteristics. This becomes particularly important for larger or more valuable stones, where confirmation that the alexandrite is natural—and, when relevant, an opinion on geographic origin—can materially affect a buyer's decision.

Internationally recognized laboratories that examine colored gemstones include:

• GIA — Gemological Institute of America
• AGL — American Gemological Laboratories
• SSEF — Swiss Gemmological Institute
• Gübelin Gem Lab
• GRS — GemResearch Swisslab

Buyers should evaluate the actual report issued for the individual gemstone rather than relying solely on a seller's description. A report number can also often be verified directly with the issuing laboratory.

What Makes A Stone Rare?

Gemstone rarity is determined by more than simply whether a stone is natural or how much it weighs. For natural alexandrite, rarity becomes especially significant when several desirable characteristics occur together in the same gemstone.

Natural origin: Natural alexandrite is far scarcer than laboratory-grown material. A gemological report from a reputable independent laboratory can help confirm whether an alexandrite is natural.

Color change: One of the most important characteristics of alexandrite is the strength and quality of its color change. Stones showing a distinct and attractive change between different lighting conditions are generally more desirable than stones with a weak or less attractive change.

Color quality: The individual colors displayed also matter. Fine alexandrites may show attractive green or bluish-green tones in daylight and purple, purplish-red or reddish tones under warm incandescent light. Brownish or grayish modifiers can affect the overall appearance and desirability of a stone.

Size: Natural alexandrite becomes increasingly difficult to find in larger sizes, particularly when strong color change, attractive color and good clarity are also required. This combination is why exceptional larger alexandrites can command substantial prices.

Clarity: Alexandrites with good transparency and fewer distracting inclusions are generally scarcer, although inclusions should always be considered together with the stone's color and color change rather than in isolation.

Cut: A well-cut alexandrite should present its colors attractively while retaining an appropriate amount of the valuable rough material. Because natural alexandrite rough is scarce, cutters often have to balance beauty, color and weight retention.

Geographic origin: Origin can add historical or collector interest to certain alexandrites, particularly stones associated with famous deposits. However, origin alone does not make one alexandrite superior to another; the quality of the individual gemstone remains fundamental.

Ultimately, the rarest and most valuable natural alexandrites are those that combine several exceptional characteristics—natural origin, strong and attractive color change, desirable colors, good clarity, skilled cutting and significant size—in a single gemstone.

New Collectors

Buying a natural alexandrite for the first time can be challenging because quality, color change, size and price vary considerably from stone to stone. Buyers may also encounter natural alexandrite, laboratory-grown alexandrite and imitation stones marketed using similar terminology. Taking the time to understand these differences—and reviewing appropriate documentation for a significant purchase—can make the buying process much more transparent.

At Safiya Alexandrites, we specialize in natural, untreated alexandrites, with a particular focus on Brazilian material from the Hematita mining region. Our goal is to help collectors understand the gemstone they are purchasing rather than relying solely on descriptions such as “rare,” “fine” or “investment quality.”

Safiya jewelry is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, and significant loose alexandrites may also be accompanied by reports from recognized independent gemological laboratories. If a particular laboratory report or geographic-origin determination is important to you, we recommend confirming the documentation available for the individual gemstone before purchasing.

For those looking to wear this rare gemstone close to them, explore our collection of natural alexandrite pendants and necklaces, featuring designs crafted around genuine color-changing alexandrites.

Why Us?

Safiya's relationship with alexandrite began in the late 1990s after our founder encountered exceptional Brazilian alexandrites at the Tucson Gem Show. Fascinated by the gemstone's rarity and remarkable color change, we began specializing in natural alexandrite and subsequently introduced these extraordinary gemstones to customers in Japan, becoming significant buyers and collectors of alexandrite over the years.

Decades of working with alexandrite have given us the opportunity to examine stones from different deposits, qualities and price levels. We have traveled extensively within the international gemstone trade and developed long-standing relationships with suppliers, cutters and other members of the gem industry. Today, our particular specialty is natural, untreated Brazilian alexandrite from the Hematita mining region.

We believe that buying a rare gemstone should begin with understanding exactly what you are purchasing. Our approach is therefore based on transparency about whether a stone is natural, its characteristics, its documented origin when available, and the factors that influence its quality and value.

Independent gemological laboratories also play an important role when additional verification is appropriate. Rather than asking customers to rely solely on our description of a gemstone, significant alexandrites can be supported by independent gemological documentation appropriate to the individual stone.

Above all, our aim is to help each customer select a natural alexandrite for its individual beauty, rarity and color change—whether it is their first alexandrite or an addition to an established gemstone collection.

Why Safiya Alexandrites over other alexandrites?

Natural alexandrites can vary enormously in color, clarity, color change and overall quality. Our approach at Safiya is to select alexandrites individually rather than treating every natural stone as being of equal quality. We focus particularly on natural, untreated Brazilian alexandrites from the Hematita mining region, looking for stones that combine attractive color, clarity and a distinctive natural color change.

Because fine natural alexandrite is scarce, we produce our jewelry in limited quantities and many of our pieces are one of a kind. When a particular design has sold, reproducing it depends on our ability to source another natural alexandrite with suitable size, shape and quality. We can also create custom jewelry around an individually selected alexandrite.

We also want customers to be comfortable purchasing a gemstone that may be unfamiliar to them. Safiya therefore offers a 14-day hassle-free return policy, a lifetime workmanship guarantee, and an upgrade policy for customers who may wish to move to a different alexandrite piece in the future.

Ultimately, we believe the value of an alexandrite should come from the quality and rarity of the individual gemstone—not simply from a marketing description. Our goal is to combine decades of experience with natural alexandrite, appropriate documentation and transparent guidance so that customers can make an informed decision.