The story of alexandrite begins in April 1834, in the emerald mines along the Tokovaya River in Russia's Ural Mountains. Workers mining for emeralds noticed unusual stones that appeared green in daylight but shifted to purple by the campfire at night. In an era before electric lights — when candles and fires were the only sources of illumination after dark — this discovery was nothing short of magical. The stones were brought to the attention of Count Lev Alekseevich Perovskii, a prominent mineral collector and the official responsible for managing the Russian Imperial Family's estates. Perovskii recognized that these were not emeralds but something entirely new.
The timing of the discovery proved fateful. The Tsarevich Alexander, heir to the Russian throne, was approaching his coming of age in 1834. Perovskii presented the new gemstone to the court, and it was named "alexandrite" in the young prince's honor — making it the only gemstone in history named after both a Prince and a Tsar. That Alexander would later become Tsar Alexander II, the liberator of Russia's serfs and one of the most significant rulers in Russian history, added enduring prestige to the stone that bore his name.
From its 1834 discovery in Russia's Ural Mountains to Tiffany's obsession and today's global rarity — the remarkable story of the gemstone that changed colour and changed everything.
Named after Tsar Alexander II, alexandrite became the national stone of Imperial Russia, prized above nearly every other gemstone for its extraordinary rarity
George Frederick Kunz of Tiffany & Co. became one of the first major Western collectors, bringing alexandrite to American high society
Russian Ural mines were largely depleted by the early 20th century, making original Russian stones exceptionally rare today
Major new deposits were found in Brazil (1980s) and Sri Lanka, but global supply remains extremely limited
Fine natural alexandrite now commands higher per-carat prices than most diamonds of equivalent size
Table of content
Watch this natural alexandrite shift from green to purple as the lighting changes:
The Imperial Russian Obsession
Alexandrite's ascent in Russian society was swift and absolute. Its extraordinary rarity and its unmistakable color change lent the stone a mystique all its own, amplifying its appeal among the aristocracy far beyond its gemological merits alone. Russian nobles competed to acquire the finest specimens, and alexandrite became the most fashionable gemstone in the empire's highest circles.
The way alexandrite was experienced in this era is inseparable from its appeal. Without electric light, Russian aristocrats observed their alexandrites exclusively by candlelight and firelight. The intimate, flickering glow of candles revealed alexandrite's warmest and most dramatic colors — deep purples and raspberry hues that seemed to pulse with the flame. This sensory context, the candlelit salons of the Russian aristocracy, is the setting in which alexandrite's beauty was first celebrated, and it remains the most evocative way to experience the stone today.
The mines in the Urals produced alexandrites of legendary quality: stones with vivid green-to-purple color change, good transparency, and reasonable sizes. These Russian alexandrites set the standard by which all subsequent finds would be judged, and they remain the most coveted and valuable alexandrites in existence. However, the Ural deposits were relatively small, and by the end of the nineteenth century, production had declined sharply. The scarcity of new material only intensified demand.
Tiffany and the Western World
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the renowned American gemologist George Frederick Kunz, who served as the chief gemologist for Tiffany & Co., became enchanted with alexandrite. Kunz was one of the first Western gem experts to champion alexandrite's extraordinary qualities, and he created exquisite platinum sets and rings featuring fine alexandrites for Tiffany's most discerning clientele. Through Kunz's advocacy and Tiffany's prestige, alexandrite entered the consciousness of wealthy American and European collectors, establishing a market beyond Russia's borders that would prove enduring.
Throughout the early twentieth century, alexandrite remained an insider's gemstone, known primarily to serious collectors and gemologists. The exhaustion of the Russian mines meant that specimens rarely appeared on the market, and when they did, they commanded extraordinary prices. Alexandrite occupied a unique position: universally admired by those who knew it, but largely unknown to the broader public.
The Brazilian Renaissance
The modern era of alexandrite began in 1987 with the discovery of significant deposits in Brazil, particularly in the state of Minas Gerais. The Hematita mine proved especially productive, yielding alexandrites with fine color change and attractive hues that rivaled the best Russian material. Brazil's entry into the market revived global interest in alexandrite and made fine specimens more accessible than they had been in decades, though still rare by any standard.
Around the same time, deposits were discovered in Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Madagascar, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and India. Each source produced alexandrites with their own character: Sri Lankan stones with warm, honeyed tones; East African stones with occasionally spectacular color change; Indian specimens from Andhra Pradesh with notable quality. The diversification of sources ensured that alexandrite was no longer dependent on a single, exhausted deposit, but the total global production remained tiny compared to other precious gemstones.
Alexandrite in the Modern Market
Today, alexandrite occupies an increasingly prominent position in the luxury gemstone market. Several factors have converged to drive this growth. The rise of social media and digital commerce has exposed alexandrite's dramatic color change to audiences who had never encountered it, generating new demand. Millennial and Gen Z buyers, seeking distinctive alternatives to traditional diamond engagement rings, have discovered alexandrite's unique appeal. The gemstone's inclusion in influential publications and its adoption by high-end designers have further elevated its profile.
Meanwhile, supply continues to tighten. Brazilian production has fluctuated, and major mines have recently closed or dried up. The economics of alexandrite mining are challenging: deposits are small, scattered, and yield unpredictable results. Unlike diamond mining, which is industrialized and scaled, alexandrite mining remains largely artisanal. This ensures that natural alexandrite will remain rare, and that the historical arc of this gemstone — from a chance discovery in a Russian emerald mine to one of the world's most coveted treasures — will continue to unfold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who discovered alexandrite?
Alexandrite was discovered in April 1834 by miners working in the emerald mines near the Tokovaya River in Russia's Ural Mountains. Count Lev Alekseevich Perovskii, a prominent mineral collector and official of the Russian Imperial Family, brought the stone to court attention and presented it to the Tsarevich.
Why is alexandrite named after a Tsar?
The stone was discovered in 1834, the same year Tsarevich Alexander — heir to the Russian throne — turned sixteen, the age of majority in the Imperial family. Count Perovskii presented the newly identified gemstone to the court in the young prince's honor, and it was named alexandrite for him. Alexander later became Tsar Alexander II, and the stone's extraordinary rarity made it an instant status symbol among the Russian aristocracy.
Are Russian alexandrites still available?
Original Russian Ural Mountain alexandrites are extremely rare on the modern market. The historic deposits are largely exhausted. When Russian specimens do appear, typically from estate sales or auctions, they command the highest prices of any alexandrite due to their legendary quality and historical significance.
Leon Boucheron
Gemologist
With over 21 years specializing in rare colored gemstones, Leon Boucheron has authenticated alexandrite specimens for collectors worldwide. Every piece at TheAlexandrite.com is personally verified for natural origin and quality.
