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 Post subject: Alexandrite or purple chrysoberyl?
PostPosted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 12:48 pm 
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Hello, a friend gave me 2 stones to cut in a bag marked alexandrite. The color was a nice med purple blue . I thought it might have been tanzanite at first. As i cut the stone i found out it was indeed a very hard stone . I used diamond for polish and the stone is quite nice . I took the stone into different areas of lighting and outside and it shows no color change.

My question is, does chrysoberyl have to have a color change to be called alexandrite ?
Thanks.


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 Post subject: Re: Alexandrite or purple chrysoberyl?
PostPosted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 2:21 pm 
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Alexandrite is defined by its color change, yes.
My guess is that you are not dealing with chrysoberyl here though.

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 Post subject: Re: Alexandrite or purple chrysoberyl?
PostPosted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 5:19 pm 
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thanks stephen, yes im not sure at all what it is but since it seemed hard like an 8 ish mohs stone that it might be chrysoberyl. Ok, ill not call it alexandrite.


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 Post subject: Re: Alexandrite or purple chrysoberyl?
PostPosted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 2:16 am 
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probably spinel or corundum, which both can come in purple.
But plenty of synthetic possibilities too...

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 Post subject: Re: Alexandrite or purple chrysoberyl?
PostPosted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 6:56 am 
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It's more than likely flame fusion Sapphire. They sell it as Synthetic Alexandrite when it has no color change, just the raspberry or purple color.
They do make color changing flame fusion Sapphire though. But, do not confuse any of this with synthetic Alexandrite.


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 Post subject: Re: Alexandrite or purple chrysoberyl?
PostPosted: Fri Jun 12, 2020 5:22 pm 
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Im sure its not a synthetic, ill post a pic of the rough and finished stone if i can when i get a chance.


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 Post subject: Re: Alexandrite or purple chrysoberyl?
PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:44 am 
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here is the piece of rough


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 Post subject: Re: Alexandrite or purple chrysoberyl?
PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 6:05 pm 
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Would it be possible for you to photograph the stone with a white background and a better focus?
Thanks!


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 Post subject: Re: Alexandrite or purple chrysoberyl?
PostPosted: Sat Jun 13, 2020 6:30 pm 
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Yes, ill try again, thanks


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 Post subject: Re: Alexandrite or purple chrysoberyl?
PostPosted: Mon Sep 28, 2020 6:26 am 
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Interesting thread, following.


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