alexandrite
Americannoun
noun
Usage
What is alexandrite? Alexandrite is a very rare, transparent gemstone that appears green-blue in daylight but changes to red-violent under incandescent light.It is one variety of the mineral chrysoberyl.Due to its rarity and unique color-changing ability, naturally occurring alexandrite is extremely expensive, often surpassing even the price of precious stones like emeralds and diamonds. A small gemstone can reach a very high price. For this reason, synthetic alexandrite is popular for jewelry making.Alexandrite is one of the birthstones for the month of June. It is associated with the zodiac signs Gemini and Cancer. It is also the gemstone for a 55th wedding anniversary.Example: Having an alexandrite ring is almost like having two different pieces of jewelry—one with a green stone and one with a red stone.
Etymology
Origin of alexandrite
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The next month, she made another expensive purchase: a diamond and alexandrite ring.
From New York Times • Apr. 15, 2022
The fugitive greenish hue of a rare alexandrite at another booth she likened to “the color of petrol.”
From New York Times • Apr. 15, 2015
A small sterling silver ring with a blue alexandrite center stone surrounded by tiny gems of cubic zirconium was also found with the body.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 11, 2014
Sometimes, in heavy cloud-shadow, it is almost as dark as the green of a Siberian alexandrite; but just beyond the shadow, in the full sunshine, it brightens to the color of a greenish turquoise.
From Campaigning in Cuba by Kennan, George
There is also a greenish stone that appears reddish by artificial light, which is called scientific alexandrite but which has, however, the composition and properties of the corundum gems rather than those of true alexandrite.
From A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public by Wade, Frank Bertram
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
