May 27 2009
Alexandrite is our Word for the Week
Our word for this week is ‘Alexandrite’! Alexandrite is a mineral that appears to be different colors depending upon whether it is viewed in artificial light or in natural light. Alexandrite appears red when viewed by candle light and it appears blue to green when viewed under a fluorescent light.
The name ‘Alexandrite’ comes from when it was founded, which was on the birthday of the Russian Czar, Alexander II and it is named in his honor. Alexandrite is mined in Russia, Brazil, Burma, Ceylon, and Rhodesia. Laboratory produced alexandrite is common and is sold as natural alexandrite.
Some stones react to light in a fashion like alexandrite and this is known as the ‘Alexandrite Effect’ – a phenomena in which a stone appears different colors depending upon the light in which it is viewed. Garnet and Sapphire are two stones that exhibit this phenomenon. From Enchanted Learning science dictionary.
