Alexandrite is a gem variety of the mineral chrysoberyl discovered in 1830 in Czarist Russia. Alexandrite is a color changing gem. Outside in daylight it is a cool bluish mossy green. Inside in lamplight , it is a red gem , with a warm raspberry tone. Since the old Russian imperial colors are red and green, it was named after Czar Alexander II on the occasion of his coming of age. Fine alexandrite is most often found in period jewelry since newly mined gems are extremely rare. The original source in Russia’s Ural Mountains has long since closed after producing for only a few decades, but some Alexandrite is still found in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Brazil. Although alexandrite remains extremely rare and expensive, the production of a limited amount of new material means a new generation of jewelers and collectors have been exposed to this beautiful gem creating an upsurge in popularity and demand.