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Alexandrite Gemstone Jewelry Origins

By: Christina Stella

The origin of alexandrite is shrouded in somewhat of a mystery. Delivered up from the Ural Mountains near the Tokovaya River, it is popularly believed that alexandrite was found out through the Finnish mineralogist Nils Gustaf Nordenskjöld on April 17, 1834. This was the 16th birthday of the future Tsar Alexander II of Russia. Nordenskjöld is said to possess named the brand new gem in the boy's honor. However, a contrary story holds that some time prior to the date in question, Nordenskjöld was examining mineral samples that had been sent to him by Count Leo Aleksevich Petrovski, a Russian noble. At first, Nordenskjöld thought gem to be an emerald. Later in the day, under artificial light, he noted the colour change and correctly recognized it as a brand new variety of chrysoberyl. He suggested that the new stone be known as 'diaphanite' - through the Greek "to or two show through" - the root of our term 'diaphanous'. Petrovski, imperially minded, patriotic Russian that he was, saw to it the new gem will be brought to public light as alexandrite - for that recently come-of-age tsarevich. (Just as a side note, Alexander II arrived towards the throne on the height of the Crimean War. Although occasionally cited as being a relative liberal, Alexander was an autocrat towards the core - destined to be assassinated in 1881.)

There's little doubt that regardless of how alexandrite got its name, its colours had a hand within the choice, because green and red are the conventional colors of Imperial Russia.

Through the years, apart from getting used by Russian master jewelers, no much less a gemologist than Tiffany's George Fredrick Kunz was particularly taken by the beauty and variety of alexandrite. He produced a number of masterpieces using alexandrite at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century.

Apples of Gold Necklaces has launched it is new section of gemstone necklaces posts with rich insight on all major normal gemstones, such as the ruby jewelry, emerald, and sapphire gems, as well as articles on tanzanite necklaces, amethyst jewelry, pearls, pink sapphire rings, onyx jewelry, topaz necklaces, amber earrings, aquamarine rings, peridot rings and garnet gems.

With expert insight and study on the major gems, Apples of Gold Necklaces is a valuable authority on gemstone necklaces.

Article Source: http://www.gambling-articles.org

Christine Stella has written a number of articles on Gemstone Jewelry

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