Two Gemstones in One: Ametrine

Next up on my list of gemstones is, Ametrine. Ametrine is a member of the Quartz family of gemstones, and is Purple Quartz or Amethyst, and Yellow Quartz or Citrine, that form together creating Ametrine. Ametrine is a natural forming gemstone, not man made, and is almost exclusively found in Bolivia. There are treatments available to enhance color and quality. a 50/50 split stone is the most prized of all Ametrine. Below is a video from the GIA explaining Ametrine much better than I can. I do not have any Ametrine in my current gemstone collection.

Alexandrite Color Change Gemstone

I have probably blogged about Alexandrite before, it is one of my all time favorite gemstones, but it is next in alphabetical order of gemstones, so here we go again. I will try to add something different.  I actually wore an Alexandrite ring for years, that I made, and one day the stone just fell out and I could not find it.  I was heart broken.  I do have another, but it is quite small, and I have not found a setting I like to put it in.

Alexandrite is a color changing gemstone.  What does that mean?  It means in one light it is green, and in another light source it is red to purplish.  The newest location is Africa, but also comes from Brazil, and even USA.   It is amazing.  Alexandrite, is of course more expensive the more color change you get.  It is a naturally occurring gemstone, with no enhancements.  Most famous source is Russia, and was a stone named after Czar Alexander of Russia, hence the name Alexandrite.  It is a very durable gemstone, with a hardness of 8.5 out of 10, on the Moh's Hardness Scale.  If you can get one, and not break the bank, do it.  You won't be sorry.  There is synthetic Alexandrite, and Alexandrite simulated stones.  The best way to tell, if you are not sure, is the fakes are usually very large, with beautiful vibrant color, and 100% color change.  A genuine natural Alexandrite most likey will not be bigger than a carat, unless it came from an estate.  Alexandrite is a member of the Chrysoberyl family of gemstones.

Check out the video below showing the color change.  Please note I am not affiliated with the seller, I am just sharing the video showing the beautiful color change.

Color Change Diaspore My Favorite Gemstone

As a gemstone collector, the color change gemstones are by far my favorite. I own two small Alexandrites, and this color change Diaspore, also known as Turkish Diaspore, and sold under the trade name of Zultanite. I actually blogged about this stone, some time ago. I had set it in silver, and said I might actually put it in gold, at some point. Well I did, and I absolutely love it set in the yellow gold. I put two very small lilac Tanzanites on either side of it. This is by far one of my favorite pieces. I can not wear it for every day wear, though, because it only has a hardness of about six, making it vulnerable to dings. Watch the video below to see the actual color change that color change diaspore makes.