2.37 Ct. Alexandrite from Madagascar

This alexandrite is a transparent 2.37 carat oval, presented in a respectful, well balanced format with exact dimensions of 9.12 x 7.60 x 3.87 millimeters. The cutting style is a mixed brilliant cut, designed to combine the scintillation advantages of brilliant faceting with the color retention and depth provided by step style facets. Clarity is graded very very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, indicating that inclusions are minimal and do not detract from the gem when set and viewed without magnification. Color intensity is classified as medium, supporting a strong and pleasing color change from greenish in daylight to reddish under incandescent illumination. The polish is excellent, allowing uninterrupted light transmission and clean facet junctions. There has been no enhancement to alter color or clarity, and the material is natural alexandrite from Madagascar, supplied with the reliability and provenance standards upheld by The Natural Gemstone Company.

The mixed brilliant faceting in this oval engages a precisely calculated interplay between crown geometry and pavilion angulation. The crown carries a modified brilliant arrangement, with smaller crown facets that break white light into multiple scintillation points, while the pavilion incorporates a blend of shallow and slightly elongated facets arranged to support color retention and depth. The overall effect is a balance between dynamic sparkle and stable body color, a desirable attribute for alexandrite whose value rests equally on color change and optical performance. Medium color intensity in this specimen translates to a robust absorption band in the yellow region, producing a classic alexandrite shift. Under natural daylight the gem exhibits a greenish tone with bluish tertiary overtones on some facet faces, and under incandescent light it displays a warm reddish hue with orange leaning nuances on the table facets. Optical behavior includes strong dichroism and pronounced trichroic tendencies typical of chrysoberyl, yielding different tonal relationships when the stone is rotated, and the mixed cut has been executed to exploit that anisotropy so that the color change reads consistently to the eye across viewing angles.

The most distinctive aspect of this alexandrite is its signature inclusion suite, a fingerprint that allows confident identification and adds character without compromising transparency. Under magnification the stone reveals delicate parallel growth tubes and elongated negative crystals aligned with the optic axis, a growth habit consistent with Madagascar origin. Interspersed among these are minute reflective platelets and isolated crystal inclusions that disperse light into tiny internal flashes, which can be seen as pale scintillation when the gem is tilted. The inclusion ensemble also contains a few healed fracture planes with subtle bearding at facet junctions, and occasional wisps of fluid films that are confined to microscopic vesicles, producing three phase features in rare orientations. These three phase inclusions act as microscopic signposts, indicating crystallization in a dynamic environment and helping to separate this natural alexandrite from assembled or synthetic counterparts. Importantly these inclusions are submillimetric and finely distributed, which is why the piece is described as very very slightly included at face up inspection, but they are sufficiently characteristic to serve as an unmistakable signature for connoisseurs and gemologists alike.

From a practical and aesthetic perspective the gem is exceptionally well finished, with excellent polish that ensures facet junctions are crisp and table symmetry is true to the oval outline. The mixed brilliant cut chosen here is particularly effective in ring and pendant applications where controlled sparkle and a reliable color change are desirable. Because there has been no enhancement, the stone offers the kind of transparency and chromatic response that collectors and designers prefer, and the Madagascar origin adds a narrative of modern sourcing from a locality known for producing alexandrite with balanced color change and complex inclusion structures. For setting considerations the 3.87 millimeter depth supports secure bezel or prong mounting without sacrificing visual table size, and the measured proportions maintain good face up brightness. The Natural Gemstone Company stands behind the documented origin and enhancement status, and we recommend that this alexandrite be accompanied by professional imaging and optional gemological reporting for buyers who require formal certification. For clients seeking a rare, naturally color changing chrysoberyl with a clearly legible inclusion fingerprint and top tier craftsmanship, this 2.37 carat oval alexandrite represents a technical and aesthetic specimen of notable character.