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- Title
GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN DETERMINATION OF ALEXANDRITE.
- Authors
Ziyin Sun; Palke, Aaron C.; Muyal, Jonathan; DeGhionno, Dino; McClure, Shane F.
- Abstract
The gem and jewelry trade has come to place increasing importance on the geographic origin of alexandrite, as it can have a significant impact on value. Alexandrites from Russia and Brazil are usually more highly valued than those from other countries. In 2016, GIA began researching geographic origin of alexandrite with the intent of offering origin determination as a laboratory service. Unfortunately, collecting reliable samples with known provenance can be very difficult. Alexandrite is often recovered as a byproduct of mining for other gemstones (e.g., emerald and corundum), so it can be difficult to secure reliable parcels of samples because production is typically erratic and unpredictable. The reference materials studied here were examined thoroughly for their trace element chemistry profiles, characteristic color-change ranges under daylight-equivalent and incandescent illumination, and inclusion scenes. The data obtained so far allow us to accurately determine geographic origin for alexandrites from Russia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and India. Future work may help to differentiate alexandrites from other localities.
- Subjects
RUSSIA; BRAZIL; JEWELRY industry; REFERENCE sources; GEMS &; precious stones; TRACE elements; CORUNDUM; DAYLIGHT
- Publication
Gems & Gemology, 2019, Vol 55, Issue 4, p660
- ISSN
0016-626X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.5741/GEMS.55.4.660