Alexandrite: The Gemstone That Plays Hide-and-Seek with Color!

Alexandrite is the colour-change gemstone famous for shifting hue under different lighting — green in daylight, warmer red-purple under lamplight. At Irosk Australia, our pieces feature Created Alexandrite, which captures this remarkable colour play beautifully and affordably. Here's the story behind the stone and how to wear it.

A Gemstone with a Secret

Alexandrite's signature trick is its colour change, caused by traces of chromium and vanadium in its structure that bend light differently depending on the light source. The result is a dazzling shift between cool green and warm red-purple.

The stone takes its name from a piece of history: natural alexandrite was first described in Russia's Ural Mountains in 1834, around the time of the coming of age of the future Tsar Alexander II — hence the regal name.

Created Alexandrite at Irosk

Natural alexandrite is extremely rare, which makes it costly and hard to find. Our collection features Created Alexandrite — grown in controlled conditions to display the same mesmerising colour play, at a far more accessible price. We name it accurately as Created Alexandrite so you always know exactly what you're buying. Every piece is set in 925 sterling silver.

Styling Alexandrite Jewellery

Because alexandrite shifts colour, it's a natural conversation piece. It works beautifully as:

• A statement ring that catches the light differently through the day.
• Elegant earrings or a pendant that pairs with both cool and warm outfits.
• A meaningful June birthstone gift — alexandrite is one of June's three birthstones.

Browse our Alexandrite Jewellery collection, including rings, earrings and necklaces, or explore the wider June Birthstone collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes alexandrite change colour?
Traces of chromium and vanadium cause it to appear green in daylight and warmer red-purple under incandescent light.

Is Created Alexandrite a real alexandrite?
Created Alexandrite is lab-grown to show the same colour-change effect as natural alexandrite, at a much more accessible price. We name it as Created Alexandrite so you know exactly what you're buying.

What month is alexandrite a birthstone for?
Alexandrite is one of June's three birthstones, alongside pearl and moonstone.

Written by the Irosk team. We handcraft birthstone and gemstone jewellery in 925 sterling silver for customers across Australia, and we always name our stones accurately.