Modern Ring with a Color-Changing Natural Alexandrite and Diamonds, circa 2000

Some gemstones captivate with their pure beauty, while others are made special by their rarity. Alexandrites are among the colored gemstones that possess both qualities. It was named in honor of the future Tsar Alexander II, whose birthday, according to legend, coincided with the discovery of the first alexandrite crystals. Alexandrite owes its legendary reputation to its extraordinary ability to change colour. In natural sunlight, our stone displays a dark green colour reminiscent of tourmaline. Under incandescent light, however, it shimmers brownish-red with a slight violet tint. This effect is known in gemology as “color change” and is due to the interplay between the gemstone’s unique absorption properties and the different spectra of the light sources. This ring was likely crafted around the turn of the millennium. It features a 1.33-carat alexandrite set in a understated prong setting as the centerpiece of the design. The stone is unheated and untreated. It exhibits the color change characteristic of alexandrites between daylight and artificial light, as well as remarkably good clarity and transparency. The alexandrite is accompanied by a carefully arranged diamond setting that frames the rare stone in various cut shapes. Two pear-shaped diamonds and four marquise-cut diamonds frame the center stone. An additional sixteen brilliant-cut diamonds adorn the split ring shoulders, making the entire front of the ring sparkle. The ring was crafted from platinum, the most luxurious and durable of all jewellery metals. This rare jewel came to us from the Charlottenburg district of Berlin.

Estimate:$9,322.46

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