Vintage Alexandrite Cocktail Statement Ring with Great Color Change!

What a find! This is a vintage ring from the mid 1900's. The setting is sterling silver, with marks indicating that it was made in Taxco, Mexico. The stone is a synthetic alexandrite with intense color change, the alexandrite goes from deep purple to bright fuscia to a lovely lavender with hints of blue depending on the light source. To see more photos and even videos of this and other vintage jewelry, take a look at our instagram: @ MercuryCrowTradingCo

Sterling Silver, stamped 925
Ring size 5 3/4 US - Please reach out for information about having this ring sized.
Synthetic Alexandrite measures 12mm across

ABOUT SYNTHETIC ALEXANDRITE: Alexandrite is a gemstone in the chrysoberyl family that is known for its 'color change' properties. Color change gems appear as different colors, depending on the light they are viewed under. For example, under incandescent light, alexandrite appears brilliant fuscia pink, while under natural light the same gem will appear deep purple with hints of blue. The more colors that a gem changes, the higher the value.

Alexandrite was mined heavily in the early 1900's, up until World War I, and it became a popular gemstone in America, taking it's place at the time as a birthstone for the month of November. The resource of Natural Alexandrite, however, was extremely finite, and the gemstone became rare and expensive very quickly. With the advent of science and technology in the gemology industry - think Lindy Star Sapphires and the brilliant pinky red of Art Deco synthetic Ruby - Alexandrite was quickly synthesized and reintroduced to the market.

Synthetic Alexandrite grows well and easily into large crystals, making it the perfect synthetic gem for big, bold settings and high art style solitaire rings. It's common in jewelry from the 1940s to the 1970's. In the 1990's new veins of natural alexandrite were discovered, and the natural form of this lovely chrysoberyl once again became a popular choice in jewelry. We'll always love the big bold synthetic's, though, with their firey flashes and shameless shine!