1.71 Ct. Alexandrite from Tanzania

This stone began its life deep within the ancient terrains of Tanzania, formed under heat pressure and time into a rare chrysoberyl that would one day reveal the miraculous trait that gives alexandrite its legend. Miners working small scale pockets pulled this crystal from the earth, and its transparent body showed promise from the first glance. That promise was fulfilled through careful evaluation and the practiced eye of a lapidary, resulting in a 1.71 carat cushion shape alexandrite with dimensions of 6.94 x 5.20 x 5.11 mm. Its mixed brilliant cut was chosen to balance lively scintillation with the depth of its color change, and the gem was graded as very slightly included when viewed at eye level, with a medium color intensity and an excellent polish. There has been no enhancement to alter its natural charm, and The Natural Gemstone Company is proud to bring this Tanzanian treasure to collectors and connoisseurs who recognize true rarity.

The journey from rough to gem was deliberate, each facet placed to coax both fire and the chameleon like color change from greenish to orangish that defines alexandrite. The mixed brilliant cut gives the stone a luminous face up presence in daylight with verdant green notes, and it delivers warm orangish flashes in incandescent light, making every moment a new experience. The clarity of the material is such that inclusions remain unobtrusive to the naked eye, allowing light to travel freely through the stone and dance off the polished facets. Historically alexandrite has been treasured for its association with balance and transformation, admired by jewelers and collectors since the nineteenth century, and this piece carries that lineage while offering a tactile sense of place and origin that comes from a specific Tanzanian source.

When you imagine this alexandrite as the centerpiece of a custom piece, think in terms of color stories and contrasts that let both sides of its nature sing. Set in platinum or white gold with a halo of small, brilliant cut diamonds, the green state is emphasized and the overall effect is cool and elegant, perfect for a ring meant to read refined and modern. For a warmer presentation that celebrates the orangish change, rose gold provides an embracing glow, and a halo of pale peach or champagne sapphires will amplify the warm tones without overwhelming the stone. For side stones consider tapered baguettes in near colorless diamonds if you desire sleek architecture and maximum brilliance, or pair the center alexandrite with deep ruby shoulders to lean into red and orange notes under warm light. If you prefer a harmonious green palette, small round tsavorite garnets or vivid green sapphires can flank the center, creating a jewel that reads verdant in daylight and intriguingly complex in incandescent light. A three stone layout with pear shaped diamonds or sapphires on each side will elongate the finger in a ring and offer dynamic transitions between colors as you move. For a pendant, choose a bezel that allows the stone to breathe while protecting its cushion silhouette, and select a chain metal that complements the chosen accent stones.

Every custom design begins with how you want the alexandrite to feel on a daily basis, and we at The Natural Gemstone Company are here to guide that conversation from metal and setting to accent selection and scale. The stone's dimensions of 6.94 x 5.20 x 5.11 mm make it versatile enough for a statement ring or an intimate pendant, and its mixed brilliant cut ensures that any surrounding gems will reflect and refract its shifting palette. Whether you seek the crisp contrast of icy diamonds and platinum, or the romantic warmth of rose gold supported by warm sapphires and rubies, this Tanzanian alexandrite will hold a story of origin and transformation at its heart, and we are available to collaborate on a bespoke setting that honors both the gem and your vision.