0.54 Ct. Alexandrite from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This alexandrite is a transparent, certified color change gem weighing 0.54 carat, presented in a pear shape with precise dimensions of 5.74 by 4.82 by 2.72 millimeters, and cut in a mixed brilliant configuration. The mixed brilliant cut combines pavilion brilliance with crown dispersion to balance fire and color, and the pear outline provides a graceful silhouette that concentrates color when oriented to reflect light. The gem exhibits a color change from a yellowish green in natural daylight to a brownish orange under incandescent or warm lighting, a characteristic behavior that defines alexandrite and contributes materially to its desirability. Clarity is graded as very very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, indicating that the stone presents with minimal visible inclusions to the unaided eye, which enhances transparency and optical performance. Color intensity is medium, a level that allows the shift between hues to remain distinct while preserving overall saturation, and polish is rated excellent, reflecting careful lapidary work that optimizes surface finish and light return. There has been no enhancement applied to this stone, so the natural color and clarity are intact as formed in the host crystal.

From a gemological perspective, this specimen illustrates the classic mechanisms that make alexandrite unique. The color change effect arises principally from trace chromium substituting in the chrysoberyl crystal lattice, producing selective absorption bands that interact with varying light spectra to shift perceived color. In daylight or balanced white light that contains strong blue and green wavelengths, the stone reads as yellowish green, while in warmer, red dominant light sources the absorption balance shifts, permitting brownish orange tones to predominate. The mixed brilliant facet design on this pear shape has been chosen to enhance both the breadth of color response and the scintillation that allows the color change to be observed from differing viewing angles and lighting conditions. The very very slightly included clarity further supports clean light transmission, enabling the color change to be seen with clarity and minimal visual distraction. The excellent polish ensures that surface reflections are neutral and do not mask the intrinsic color properties of the crystal, while the modest weight of 0.54 carat and compact proportions make the gem suitable for finely detailed settings where optical performance is important.

The origin of this alexandrite is Ceylon, Sri Lanka, and that provenance is an important factor in the gemological and market context. Sri Lankan alexandrite is distinguished historically by a tendency toward lighter, more pastel color shifts and by generally good clarity relative to some other sources. These characteristics are consistent with the specimen described here, which presents a pleasing yellowish green to brownish orange transition with transparent body and minimal inclusions. Provenance from Ceylon conveys a narrative of established mining traditions and known geological environments that collectors and connoisseurs recognize, and it often correlates with a particular suite of trace elements and crystal habit that inform both color and clarity. Because this stone is natural and unenhanced, and because it has been certified for its color change property, its origin adds a layer of verifiable context that supports both its gemological assessment and its long term desirability. The Natural Gemstone Company provides this detailed information to assist in technical evaluation and to ensure that provenance, physical measurements, and treatment status are clear for use in appraisal, setting design, or acquisition decisions.