1.18 Ct. Alexandrite from Tanzania

This gemstone began its story deep within the metamorphic rocks of Tanzania, where heat and pressure slowly coaxed rare trace elements into crystalline form. Over countless years, tiny inclusions of chromium and other transition metals took residence in beryllium aluminum oxide, and when the rough was finally liberated from its host, the material already hinted at a marvel most gem lovers chase. At The Natural Gemstone Company we sourced a piece that is remarkable not only for its provenance, but for the way it responds to light. In daylight or fluorescent lighting this alexandrite shows a cool bluish green, and under incandescent light it reveals a warm reddish purple. That ability to change color is the very essence of alexandrite, a phenomenon that reads like a mineral story, a tale of chemistry and light that unfolds each time you move the gem.

The crystal was carefully examined and shaped into an elegant oval that measures 6.90 by 5.30 by 3.89 millimeters and weighs 1.18 carats, a size that places it in a rare category for color changing alexandrite. Many alexandrite specimens of this color quality are far smaller, while larger stones commonly lack the vivid split personality that defines fine stones. The cutter chose a mixed brilliant cut to marry the best of sparkling fire and controlled color presentation, so light plays across the facets and brings out the bluish green in cool light and the reddish purple in warm light. The polish is excellent which means that each facet edge reflects with crisp clarity, and the clarity at eye level is very slightly included which allows the gem to remain visually clean while still preserving its natural character and story from the mine to the gem cloth.

Rarity is what elevates this piece beyond a beautiful stone into the realm of collector and heirloom. Alexandrite is inherently scarce in nature, and examples that balance meaningful size with a pronounced color change are even more uncommon. In this particular stone the medium intense color intensity is distributed evenly enough that the green to purple shift is dramatic for its size. Many alexandrites in the marketplace are either larger yet muted in color shift, or vividly colored but so small they cannot anchor a jewelry design. A 1.18 carat alexandrite that moves from bluish green to reddish purple with such clarity is a rare find, and its Tanzanian origin provides an additional note of distinction. We at The Natural Gemstone Company value such pieces because they tell a layered story, from geological formation to human hands that recognized the rough and entrusted it to the lapidary to be released as a gem.

Beyond provenance and color, the gem is notable for being untreated. There is no enhancement, which means the color and clarity that you see are natural, created without heat, diffusion, or other lab interventions. For many collectors and designers that unaltered state is essential, because it preserves the full authenticity of the stone. The cut proportions were chosen to sit comfortably in a classic ring setting or to become the centerpiece of a bespoke pendant. The mixed brilliant facets maximize scintillation and color play, and the oval outline offers elegant finger coverage for a ring without overwhelming scale. In photographs we include views under different lighting conditions so you can witness the transformation from bluish green in fluorescent environments to reddish purple under incandescent light, and scale images show approximate hand placement so you may better imagine this rare alexandrite as the focal point of your design.

When you choose this alexandrite from The Natural Gemstone Company you are acquiring more than a gem, you are taking home a story that began in Tanzanian stone and traveled through the practiced work of cutters and graders to become an object that responds to light and emotion. This is a gem for someone who appreciates geological rarity and the romance of a color that changes as the world around it changes. It is also a practical choice for a jeweler looking to set a stone that will deliver consistent color performance and enduring appeal, thanks to its excellent polish and secure clarity. If you wish to discuss setting options, custom designs, or to view additional images that highlight the color transition and hand scale, we are ready to guide you with the care and expertise this rare alexandrite deserves.