What are the differences between alexandrite and sapphire?
1. What is alexandrite?
2. What is sapphire?
3. How are they different in terms of physical properties?
4. What are their differences in terms of color and clarity?
5. What are the differences in their value and popularity?
Detailed explanation:
1. Alexandrite is a rare gemstone that belongs to the chrysoberyl family. It was first discovered in 1830 by a miner named Nils Gustaf Nordenskiöld in the Ural Mountains in Russia. Alexandrite is a unique gemstone because it changes color from green to red or purple depending on the lighting conditions.
2. Sapphire is a precious gemstone that belongs to the corundum family. It is one of the most popular gemstones in the world and can be found in a wide range of colors. Blue sapphire is the most famous and valuable, but sapphires also come in pink, yellow, green, and even black.
3. In terms of physical properties, alexandrite and sapphire differ in their hardness, refractive index, and specific gravity. Alexandrite is a slightly softer gemstone with a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale, while sapphire is considered one of the hardest gemstones with a hardness of 9.0. Alexandrite also has a lower refractive index and specific gravity compared to sapphire.
4. The color and clarity of alexandrite and sapphire also differ. As previously stated, alexandrite changes color depending on the lighting conditions. It appears green in natural daylight and red or purple in incandescent light. On the other hand, sapphire's color varies depending on the color of the stone. Blue sapphire is a deep blue, while pink sapphire is a light pink. However, all sapphire colors can exhibit color zoning or banding, which is less common in alexandrite. In terms of clarity, sapphires are often more included than alexandrites, which makes high-quality, eye-clean sapphires rarer and more valuable.
5. Finally, alexandrite and sapphire differ in their value and popularity. Alexandrite is rarer than sapphire, and high-quality stones can command a premium price. However, sapphire is more popular and widely recognized, especially blue sapphire. This means that sapphire is more commonly used in jewelry and is easier to sell than alexandrite.
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