GRADING REPORT OVAL073
- Identification: Natural Unheated & Untreated Alexandrite
- Carat: 0.73
- Shape: Oval
- Measures: 6.38x5.12x2.78 (millimeter)
- Color Change: Excellent
- Tone: MD85
- Color Zoning: None
- Clarity: Translucent
- Cutting Grade: Good
Brilliancy: n.a.
Depth: 54%
- Origin: Masvingo, Zimbabwe
- Treatment: None
Certificate No: IGI 310837688
Overall Grade: Good
Comment: In regards to color-change, these alexandrite from Fort Victoria, Zimbabwe are amongst the world's very best. As an 'origin-variety' they may be called THE best because ALL, not just the one-in-a-thousand lucky strike, display the other-wise super-rare near-100% color-change. Gemology school books teach that color-change is the #1 determining value-factor in alexandrite. Despite this, these gems are by far less expensive than even mediocre Indian alexandrite which rarely trade under $5k/ct in good color-change quality, and no less than $10k/ct in fine quality and jewelry sizes. Obviously, Fort Victoria alex come with a trade-off in the form of heavy inclusions or even opaque cabochon-quality. However, if you want to marvel at, and call your own, a true full colorchange alexandrite of visible size, they are a God-sent. This here 0.73's clarity allowed even some see-through images, with the light source behind the gem (see 'more images'). Vivid purplish red under normal tungsten light, then grass-green under cold day-light and deep purple in mixed light settings, a fantastic show! Under strong light, be it sunshine, harsh office light or, in the other extreme, candle-gleam, these colors are well within the eye's first impressions. To catch them on camera, however, we must use artificial light sources. In person, the eye does a far better job than the camera, especially the day green is very obvious in person but elusive on camera (without torch). A rare collector-item even for alexandrite connoisseurs, inclucions or not, and a bargain snatch for the casual gem lover and jewelry adventurer. As always, our gems buy rainforest, support animal right groups, come with the original IGI report and free global shipping.
