Steeped in mystery, Alexandrite continues to mystify and capture the attention of royalty, scientists, and gemologists alike. Formed millions of years ago when the earth was a molten mass, one of the most rare of gems, natural Alexandrite has a mysterious and sinuous history woven through the mystique of explorers, czars, princesses and emperors.
Hidden for millennium deep within the earth's crust, Alexandrite first came to light in the 19th century. Discovered by a now unknown farmer in the outposts of the Urals; a single glowing green crystal was found under the roots of a stunted tree. This crystal was thought to be an emerald; queen of the empire's jewels. Other glowing crystals were discovered in the same region and hidden in the Empress Ekaterina's private jewel vaults. Unknown to her, a lowly caretaker of the royal vaults sold some of these glowing crystals at a high price to a visiting German Prince who had them cut and set into magnificent settings for his wife, the Princess. The Princess bejeweled herself with her Alexandrite ring, Alexandrite earrings, natural Alexandrite and white gold tiara, and a many Alexandrite and diamond bejeweled necklace. All the Alexandrite gemstones were set in glorious settings.
On a later date in the middle of the 19th century, the Princess, wearing her Alexandrite jewelry, and the Empress met at a grand ball. Happenstance declared itself as the Empress admired the breathtaking jewels of the Princess, and the Princess declared they were from Russia, with love, from the Prince. It was noticed, that in the torchlight, the jewels glowed a purple red.
Seething with anger that these glowing jewels were not hers, the Empress sent envoys to her Royal Jewel Vaults and discovered more of these gems hidden away in the recesses of the vault. The caretaker was imprisoned and executed, the rest of the 'Emerald's were brought out to light where it was discovered that they too changed from a cool, Mediterranean blue-green in the light of the day, to a hot, smoldering purple red in torchlight.