What Is A Color Change Gemstone?

                                                       Alexandrite Ring From Milano Jewelry

What Is A Color Change Gemstone?

While many gemstones offer a range of stunning optical effects, only recently have color change gems made a real impact on buyers. Characterized by their ability to alter hues based on surrounding lighting, these pieces are renowned for their dramatic impact, which explains why they are such a hit among collectors.

Understanding Color Change Gemstones

Color change stones are notable due to their dramatic ability to change color as opposed to other gems that exhibit relatively subtle color differences in different kinds of light. For instance, garnets with the ability to change color will appear bronze in daylight and take on a rosy pink shade when exposed to incandescent light. Color change sapphires are unique in that they offer a range of colors (including greens, pinks, and purples) depending on the available light source. Diaspore gems have also been known to change colors, even appearing as a dark raspberry shade in candlelight, which is in contrast to their light green hue in natural light.

Although most who are enamored with color change gemstones are simply interested in their aesthetic appeal, the science behind these gems is equally fascinating. This phenomenon has much to do with color change gems’ equally sized dual-transmission windows. For instance, a gem that appears red does so because it absorbs all other frequencies of light save for a single frequency (i.e. red). A color change gemstone similarly absorbs all other frequencies except for two (red and blue, for example). To this end, light that is replete with blue frequencies will make the stone appear blue, while light with red frequencies will create the appearance of a red gem.

The Rarest of the Rare

Alexandrite is perhaps the rarest of all color change gemstones. Discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in 1830, this gem is also found in a number of locations, including Brazil, East Africa, and Sri Lanka. Alexandrite belongs to the class of Chrysoberal minerals, which are exceedingly rare and prized all over the world.

As the chameleon of the gem world, Alexandrite showcases drastically different shades depending on the light source. Daylight makes this gem appear a deep green, while incandescent light creates a dark red shade that can be tinged with either brown or purple. In addition to its magnificent color change ability, Alexandrite is also host to another phenomenon known as chatoyancy. Minute parallel inclusions in the gem create a cat’s eye effect that can usually only be seen in natural light.

The beauty of color change gemstones lies in their scientific properties, which serve to set these stones apart from more commonplace jewelry. As a result, they are favored by many gem lovers for their numerous rare and exquisite qualities.