Alexandrite meaning & facts

Alexandrite is a birthstone for June. Alexandrite is linked with luck, balance and creativity, thanks to its famous colour change.

Birth month: June
Colour: Colour-changing: green in daylight, red in lamplight
Mineral: Chrysoberyl
Hardness (Mohs): 8.5
Main sources: Originally Russia's Ural Mountains; now Brazil, Sri Lanka and East Africa

Alexandrite facts

It was discovered in the Ural Mountains in the 1830s and named after the future Tsar Alexander II.
Its colour change is so striking it is sometimes described as "emerald by day, ruby by night".
Fine natural alexandrite is one of the rarest and most valuable gems.

June also has other birthstones: Pearl and Moonstone.

What does alexandrite mean?

Alexandrite is linked with luck, balance and creativity, thanks to its famous colour change.

What month is alexandrite the birthstone for?

Alexandrite is a birthstone for June. The other June birthstones are Pearl and Moonstone.

How hard is alexandrite?

Alexandrite rates 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, which runs from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).

Gemstone meanings are traditional beliefs, shared for interest rather than as proven properties.