GEMOLOGY AND MATERIALS - Essay Example

The crystals were of high quality and displayed dramatic color changes and vivid hues. The mineral also caught people’s attention as it reflected the imperial Russian flag. It became a national stone and was thought to have mystical powers. The Ural mountain deposits, however, did not last long and was later sourced from countries such as Brazil, Sri Lanka, and East Africa. Russia, however, remains as the primary source of the Gemstone (Schreiber, 2003). As stated above, Alexandrite is sourced from several regions apart from Russia.

The Ural deposits were thought to be no more in 1980 and interests in the Gemstone decreased gradually. The situation, however, changed in 1987 when its deposits were found in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Brazilian Alexandrite also showed distinctive color changes. The Gemstone is also sourced from Sri Lanka, but its hues are not of high quality. Since 1990, Tunduru area in Tanzania has also been a source of outstanding Alexandrite Gemstones. Other sources include areas in Zimbabwe, Burma, India, and Madagascar (Schreiber, 2003).

Although all Alexandrite Gemstone is elegant, its value lies on its ability to change color. Just like other colored stones, its value is also tied to it color’s degree of saturation and clarity. A stone with modest color changes having attractive and saturated colors is valuable than one who’s colors are browned or grayed and less dramatic. Alexandrite’s low availability, supply, and rarity are all indications of its high value. There are no established price tags for the gemstones because their availability is limited and are hardly found in stores.

Starting with India, about 160 locations have been identified and mapped as Alexandrite Gem producing areas. Areas near the Araku Valley, for example, are very rich reserves of Alexandrite. Lack of funding, control by tribesmen and sanctions from the government have hindered mining activities and