Gem: Alexandrite (color change chrysoberyl)
Weight: 0.125 ct.
Dimensions:
Clarity: VS - minor, sparse rutile needles not really eye-visible
Original Design by: Scott Maier
Feceted by: Scott Maier
Origin: Manyara, Tanzania
Treatments: NONE - completely natural alexandrite
Comments:
It's nearly impossible to source alexandrite rough that I can actually afford, and then also actually facet - but I found some! I ended up breaking it up into a few very small, but totally clean pieces of rough, with decent proportions, and I decided to try out the nicest little drop of gem.
Well, I pushed my limits on this one, in terms of size - it's quite small, but it is also QUITE nice. My design is a stout, bright pear, and the proportions, meets, and polish are all perfect.
Most alexandrite in this size range are native cut alexandrite chips that are insanely shallow, and although some have good color like this gem, most lack severly in performance.
This gem is moody, and mysterious, with plenty of contrast to flank the brightness and rich color. I'd call the color teal, with moments where it leans blue and moments where it leans green. The color change, under incandescent light (think candle flame) - is a very noticeable, stark change from the rich green to rich purple. The gem is actually a little more open in this color / light, and you can see the pattern a little more clearly.
There is just a dash of rutile needles, but they are invisible to the unaided eye.
*NOTE* - I didnt take any pictures of the gem in it's purple shade because I am not currently set up for good quality pictures in that light. If it helps you picture it, it's the color you'd hope it would be - classic green to purple color change.