Stone of the month

June (Alexandrite)

Alexandrite is an exceptionally rare color-changing variety of the mineral chrysoberyl, renowned as the "emerald by day, ruby by night," it shifts from bluish-green in daylight to purplish-red in incandescent light. It ranks a durable 8.5 on the Mohs scale and is an official June birthstone. The gem is also strongly pleochroic, displaying distinct colors (typically green, orange, or purple-red) when viewed from different angles. Extremely rarely, needle-like inclusions inside the gem align to create a "cat's-eye" effect. Discovered in Russia's Ural Mountains in 1834, the gem was named in honor of Tsar Alexander II. Because its red and green hues mirrored the military colors of Imperial Russia, it quickly became a symbol of national pride and Russian nobility. Many wearers believe the stone brings luck, fortune, and love, while strengthening intuition and creativity. Since the original Russian mines were exhausted, modern supplies are primarily sourced from Brazil, Sri Lanka, and East Africa.