Alexandrite
This is a very rare stone, a type of chrysoberyl. Large crystals are almost impossible to find. Saturated colors in alexandrite are also very rare. This is one of the most expensive stones.
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Alexandrite is named in honor of the Russian Tsar Alexander II. This stone was found in 1833 in the Urals and presented to the future emperor on his coming of age.
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The largest alexandrite was found in Sri Lanka. Its weight is 1876 carats. The largest of the cut stones had 66 carats.
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Alexandrite is a stone of the state property of Russia and was not available for sale there during the Soviet era. Therefore, if you are offered to buy jewelry with Alexandrite from that time, do not believe it. They are not natural, but synthetic.
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There is a belief that Alexandrite is a widow's stone. This happened because the fashion for Alexandrite gained the upper hand in the post-war period, when women who lost their husbands in battle often wore jewelry with this stone. This is how the sign appeared that the stone brings grief to the family. But this is just a legend.
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Do you like Alexandrite?