June Birthstone: The Mysterious Appeal of Alexandrite

June is one of those special months that boasts multiple birthstones, so choosing a June birthstone ring can be a really exciting journey. The most well known stone associated with June is the pearl. Pearls are historically valued for their luminous glow and delicate beauty. However, pearls are just that - delicate! We would not recommend choosing a pearl ring to wear daily, as pearls are extremely soft and need rigorous care.

The other June birthstone is the mysterious Alexandrite, a kind of chrysoberyl known for it's magical colour shifting qualities. While less well known than the humble pearl, Alexandrite is much more rare. The mineral is so scarce, that the value of a quality Alexandrite can far surpass that of diamonds. Alexandrite was discovered in Russia in the 1800s. The gem is known for a wide range of colour changing properties. It is also the traditional gift for the 55th wedding anniversary.

 

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June Birthstone Meaning and History

The June birthstone, Alexandrite, was discovered in Russia in the 1800s, making it a relatively modern discovery. Legend has it that the first Alexandrite was discovered on the day that future Russian Czar Alexander II came of age, hence why the gem was named after him.

Alexandrite is known for a unique colour shifting quality. Known as "emerald by day, ruby by night", the mineral flashes different colours in different levels of light. This captivating property is caused by a unique chemical makeup within the mineral. The addition of Chromium in the stone's chemistry means that the gem intensely absorbs light in the yellow range. This causes the June birthstone to appear more greenish in natural light where the full spectrum of visible light is present, and more red in artificial light which emits less green and blue light.

Due to the green and red shift of Alexandrite mimicking the flag colours of Imperial Russia, the gem became extremely popular amongst the wealthy Russian elite. By the 1890s, the deposits in the Russian Ural Mountains were almost all depleted.

Alexandrite is valued today for it's rarity and elusiveness. A regular on red carpets, Alexandrite has been spotted adorning the likes of Felicity Huffman and Anna Faris in recent years. Some people believe that the June birthstone has healing properties, ranging from centring the mind and boosting self esteem, to balancing the nervous system and soothing inflammation.

 

Where Does Alexandrite Come From?

Alexandrite deposits are found all over the world. Most notably is Brazil, where Alexandrites of over five carats have been unearthed. Other areas where the mineral is mined are Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, and Tanzania.

Russian Alexandrites remain the gold standard for colour in the gem. Stones found in other countries like Sri Lanka can be much larger, but tend to display less desirable colours. For example, the green tone in Sri Lankan stones tends to lean more yellow while the red can appear closer to orange or brown.

The best quality Alexandrite mined outside of Russia comes from Brazil. These mines yield gem quality stones that feature large sizes and colours similar to that of Russian gems. However, Brazilian mines have lowered output and globally the supply of fresh, high quality Alexandrite is very low.

Much like diamonds, there are now labs that can create Alexandrite that is chemically and physically identical to the naturally mined stone. Although this is a wonderful option for those who feel that natural Alexandrite is out of their budget, the colour shift in lab grown Alexandrite can never mimic exactly that of a natural gem.

How to Choose Your June Birthstone

Colour

The most defining quality of Alexandrite is colour. An Alexandrite considered to be of high quality will display a colour shift from green-bluish green in daylight, and red-purplish red in artificial light. Quality Alexandrite should display a strong colour. Stones with a lighter colour hue are considered of lower quality. Conversely, stones with colours that are too dark will reflect light poorly and appear almost black.

Clarity

Unlike diamonds, Alexandrite does not tend to suffer with inclusions. Clarity in this case is much less important of a factor when you are shopping for your June birthstone ring. the only instance where inclusions can come into play is when a stone exhibits a cat eye irregularity. This occurs when long, thin inclusions sit side by side in a stone. This causes a "cat's eye" refraction on the surface of the gem, which actually makes it more valuable.

Cut

Most Alexandrites that you will come across are cut into mixed cuts. This is because the mineral is so rare, stone cutters must use the available rough in any way that they can. Mixed cuts are a stone cutters way of maximising the best qualities of an individual stone. The cutter will combine features from stone cutting techniques to bring the best out of the stone they have in front of them. For Alexandrites, this usually means that the cutter makes decisions designed to enhance the colour play of the gem.

Carat

Most natural Alexandrites currently available are smaller than one carat. Stones exceeding one carat are much harder to come by, and the price is reflective of this.

Lab created Alexandrite can be sourced in larger sizes. Synthetic Alexandrite that is chemically and physically identical to the natural mineral commands a much higher price point than simulated Alexandrite, which is created by adding trace elements to a lab grown Sapphire.

 

How To Care For Your June Birthstone Jewellery

Alexandrite is an 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, which means that it is durable enough for daily wear. The June birthstone sits just below Sapphire on the hardness scale, and just above Garnet. Ensuring the longevity of the stone depends on its cut. If your gem is cut in a round shape, then a claw or prong setting will be adequate to protect the edges from being knocked. If your stone is a step cut, or has long, straight edges, or corners, then protecting these is highly recommended.

Caring for your June birthstone jewellery is as simple as caring for any precious jewellery you might own. To ensure the setting remains intact, take care to remove your ring when cleaning or lifting heavy objects. Avoid wearing your fine jewellery swimming, whether in a pool or the ocean. Clean your fine jewellery with a mild dish soap and soft cloth or bristled toothbrush. Some precious metals need to be cleaned with special polish designed to enhance their brilliance. Ask your jeweller if you are unsure whether you need to use this or not.

Your engagement ring should be appraised by a jeweller at least once annually. During this check-up, your jeweller can check the setting of your stone(s) to make sure that everything is secure.  They will also clean and polish your ring for you! Keeping up with these appointments is the best way to make sure your treasured jewellery will last forever.

 

How to Buy a June Birthstone Ring

If you would like to purchase a ring featuring an Alexandrite, we would love to help you out! Get in touch with our in-house bespoke jeweller to discuss your options for this magnificent gem.