0.36 Ct. Alexandrite from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This specimen from The Natural Gemstone Company is a transparent alexandrite, marquise shaped, weighing 0.36 carat, with precise dimensions of 6.78 millimeters by 3.20 millimeters by 2.49 millimeters, presenting a classic elongated profile that emphasizes length over width. The cutter employed a mixed brilliant faceting scheme to reconcile the need for strong scintillation with the marquise outline, producing a faceting pattern that concentrates small triangular and kite shaped facets on the crown, and a mixed pavilion that balances brilliant type facets for return light with carefully angled girdle facets to maintain symmetry. Clarity is evaluated as very very slightly included at eye level, which in practical terms means the stone is visually clean to the unaided eye, and any solitary pinpoint or feather is accommodated within facet junctions so as not to disrupt light performance. Color intensity reads as light in the daylight view, and the material exhibits a clear color change from greenish tones in neutral to daylight illumination to pinkish to red tinges under incandescent lighting, a classic alexandrite reaction which is made more legible by the stone s excellent polish and transparent body.

From a lapidary perspective the shallow profile implied by a 2.49 millimeter depth for a 6.78 by 3.20 millimeter marquise creates a favorable spread, producing an apparent face up size that appears larger than its 0.36 carat weight might suggest, and this optical spread is an important contributor to perceived value. The mixed brilliant cut enhances dispersion and scintillation within that spread, directing light through the pavilion back into the crown facets, which maximizes flashes of color and accentuates the color change effect under different lighting. The marquise silhouette with well defined points requires precise culet and girdle finishing to avoid susceptibility to chipping at the tips, and the excellent polish on this piece confirms that the cutter paid careful attention to facet junctions and facet plane smoothing, producing crisp facet edges and minimal windowing. Because of the stone s transparency and the VVS level clarity grading at eye level, the faceting can be aggressive without masking the color change, permitting a larger table facet to aid in color saturation under incandescent lighting while maintaining enough pavilion faceting to preserve contrast and play of light.

Weight is a determinative factor in alexandrite valuation, and in the sub half carat range every hundredth of a carat can materially affect price per carat and market rarity, the 0.36 carat weight of this piece therefore places it in a niche bracket that combines accessibility with collectible appeal. Alexandrite is rare in general, and specimens that combine natural origin from Ceylon with no enhancement and a verifiable color change command a premium relative to treated or undetermined stones. Ceylon alexandrite typically presents a lighter, more pastel orientation to the color change, favoring a green to pink transition rather than the intense emerald to raspberry shift seen in stones from other localities, and that provenance is often preferred by collectors seeking a subtler, more wearable color change. The absence of heating or other enhancements is significant because untreated alexandrite retains all original pleochroic and chromium related optical centers, which means the color change and hue saturation are natural and stable, and this authenticity contributes to long term value, particularly as gemological demand trends toward untreated and naturally sourced material.

For practical use and setting recommendations the 6.78 by 3.20 millimeter table provides a workable platform for a low profile, secure prong or bezel mounting that will protect the marquise points and preserve the stone s visual spread, and the mixed brilliant faceting ensures lively return even under everyday indoor lighting, so the piece will display its pinkish side under incandescent or LED warm white sources while revealing greenish tones in daylight or cool white light. Because any re cutting to alter proportions on a stone of this weight would result in measurable weight loss and could diminish the color change due to alteration of facet angles, conservative mounting without re faceting is advised unless a client specifically requires a change in shape or depth. The Natural Gemstone Company stands behind the origin and enhancement status stated here, and we can provide additional gemological documentation upon request, along with recommendations for complementary mounting metals and design approaches that will maximize the optical performance of this rare 0.36 carat marquise alexandrite.