An excellent client approached me today with a new project. Details
of the piece haven’t been completely decided however his initial
thoughts include an alexandrite cabochon. Not sure I have a source
for the stone. Isn’t most alexandrite faceted? Faceted might be
acceptable however a cab would be the first choice.
Hopefully I can produce something he’ll like. Working with this
couple has been most enjoyable. I’ve done several projects for them
including their wedding jewelry. She is very creative and usually has
the design completely lined out before she ever gets here. Even
though this will be a birthday gift for her, she’ll probably get to
do the design.
Any insight for the stone would be greatly appreciated.
however his initial thoughts include an alexandrite cabochon
I think it would be very unusual to find a facet-grade alexandrite
cabochon. Nearly all fine material is faceted. But cat’s-eye
alexandrites are always cut as cabochons and some with very good
color change as well as top chatoyancy are available from time to
time.
You’ll need to check with suppliers specializing in alex. I don’t
carry them myself in any quantity but can suggest some possible
suppliers if you contact me. Good stones of any size are very
expensive.
Does the client mean a cat’s eye chrysoberyl? Alexandrite is a
variety of chrysoberyl with particular light properties [different
colours in different light]so perhaps he meant either he wants the
cat’s eye stone or he wants a colour change cabochon.
It appears as though this is one of those situations where I try to
respond quickly to a request only to have the client rethink. He told
me of the project on Sunday and wanted it this Friday…
Alex is now off the table. After discussion, the client quickly moved
to other possibilities, I heard cabochon emerald at one point.
Sheesh. She’ll compile a wish list of several stones, we’ll go from
there. Thankfully, the Friday deadline has also been lifted.
Does the client mean a cat's eye chrysoberyl? Alexandrite is a
variety of chrysoberyl with particular light properties [different
colours in different light]so perhaps he meant either he wants the
cat's eye stone or he wants a colour change cabochon.
Or both? I’ve seen a few alexandrite cats-eyes. Nice color change,
nice “eye”. Too bad they were quite small… But that doesn’t mean
that some lucky gem dealer out there somewhere might not have a more
impressive sized one…
I've seen a few alexandrite cats-eyes. Nice color change, nice
"eye". Too bad they were quite small... But that doesn't mean that
some lucky gem dealer out there somewhere might not have a more
impressive sized one...
Peter, I’ve seen quite a number of large-sized chatoyant
alexandrites over the years. I know several dealers who are likely to
have larger cat’s-eye cabs with excellent color change. I have some
small chatoyant alexandrite roughs. They are quite interesting
gemologically because of the distribution of the rutile “silk.” Some
have facetable clean areas that grade into silky cat’s-eye material
in the same piece. Even some of the better quality faceted alex’s
have tiny patches of “silk” inclusions. I’ve learned to rely on them
somewhat (along with other clues, of course) for ID-ing natural alex.
An alternative to very expensive alexandrite is our new facated
finds of alexandrite like color change garnets in blue-green to
red-pruples that we have currently from Kenya- see roskingemnews.com
Kenyas new color change garnet The colro changes rival the finest
alexandrite finds from Brazil and Russia This is the second find in
africa of blue-red color change garnets to the Madagascar find The
good materiasl in these color changes blue/green to red/purple only
consitute less then 5% of materials found with much less in clean
stones. You may contact us offline.
Lee Horowitz, M.Ed., CAGS, Gemologist
Peru Blue Opal Ltd
Most of the alexandrite are faceted since cabochon usualy is a shape
for non so cristalized stones or not so clean, that’s why cabochon is
sinonim of a cheaper stone.
I think that if you realy need cabochon you will have to order it.
I was wondering, reading this post, if anyone out there has any
alexandrite for sale, I have a customer looking for around a carat
size. I have been very weary of the amount of artificial Alexandrite
there is and i have no experience in it. I had looked on line and
the prices were running from a few dollars to 7 or 8 K for the same
size stones. needless to say i talked the customer out of that idea
for this project but she still wants one, so if any of you know of a
source let me know, off list is fine. also if any one could give some
more detailed info on the material itself. it seemed the rusian
material is very sought after, but it also seems that most of the
fake or lab grown stuff is coming out of russia. is that correct?
Call Ed, at Pioneer Gems (http://www.pioneergem.com/) 253 833 2760. I
didn’t see any cabs listed on the site, but he can tell you whether
or not he can get any for you.
it seemed the rusian material is very sought after, but it also
seems that most of the fake or lab grown stuff is coming out of
russia. is that correct?
Price of alexandrite almost entirely depends on color change. The
closer you come to emerald by day and ruby by night, the more you
will have to pay. We talking about $10,000 and more per carat. Much
higher prices per carat have been paid as well. Color is everything.
Any shades of brown or grey and price plummets down.
Alexandrite of that quality used to come from Russia. I believe that
deposit had been worked out, however, from time to time, a stone or
two makes it to the market.
From practical point of view, it may take a few years to locate
stone in top quality. The choice is either lab-grown, or accept
lesser
quality.
My personal view is that all the beauty of alexandrite is in color
change. I would rather have lab-grown, than yellow and brown stones
from other locations.
Do not be surprised that even lab-grown material is not cheap. Most
of lab-grown alexandrite is actually lab-grown corundum with color
change. High quality lab-grown alexandrite can be in price range of
natural diffusion treated sapphire.
I totally agree with Leonid - I would rather have a GOOD Russian Lab
Grown Alex than a so-so natural specimen.
There was, for a while a beautiful alexandrite coming out of India
(a stunning teal green) unfortunately it has no discernible color
change.
If you want a natural stone in a cab your best bet would be to go
with a Cats-eye Alexandrite. In cabs the color change isn’t as
dramatic but you CAN see it.