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 Post subject: Alexandrite real or lab?
PostPosted: Mon Mar 18, 2019 1:35 pm 
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Hi,
I am thinking about purchasing an Alexandrite from someone. I'm skeptical even though they have AGSL that looks authentic. I have photos of the gems. Please give me your opinion if the is real or not, and an estimated value.


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 Post subject: Re: Alexandrite real or lab?
PostPosted: Mon Mar 18, 2019 3:44 pm 
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I have not heard of AGSL, and the report doesn't look very promising (inclusion of heating?). The color is not atypical for a sri lankan alexandrite (or "alexandrite" depending how you feel about the browner tones). I don't think synthetic alexandrite is grown in this color range but lots of color change glasses exist and I think you are right to be cautious.

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 Post subject: Re: Alexandrite real or lab?
PostPosted: Mon Mar 18, 2019 3:49 pm 
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Thanks. I'm not a gem expert, so I did not know. I know this color would not be the most desired.


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 Post subject: Re: Alexandrite real or lab?
PostPosted: Mon Mar 18, 2019 4:55 pm 
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Some things that cause me concern.

1.) The lab in question has a very unprofessional website that seems to both Certify (a term that should not be used) and sell stones.

2.) The stones are not traditional Alexandrite colors. But those standards are not consistent between labs anyway.

3.) On each Cert the origin is different between Brazil, and Sri Lanka even though stones are similar.

3.) on ech Cert the order of the color shift is reversed showing a lack of consistent protocol.

4.) Both Certs contain a statement of heat treatment. Chrysoberyl does not respond well to heat treatments. It is not common, yet both of these stone have it?

I strongly suggest that you do not rely on this documentation of any buying decision.

In any case those are not desirable colors for Alexandrite so value would be low.


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 Post subject: Re: Alexandrite real or lab?
PostPosted: Mon Mar 18, 2019 5:43 pm 
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All that is related to this AGSL "lab" seems to be a scam.
On our french gemological FB page somebody showed a ruby he bought on ebay with this nice report.
Supposedly a natural ruby, actually a wonderful flame fusion synthetic corundum, or maybe even a piece of glass.
The happy buyer got 3 of them for 40 euros - more or less 45 US dollars.


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 Post subject: Re: Alexandrite real or lab?
PostPosted: Mon Mar 18, 2019 6:36 pm 
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Sheraphics, I must ask, why do you want to purchase one of these stones?
I presume it is simply the name "alexandrite" as it is certainly not their extraordinary color change.

Compare to the alex offered by David Weinberg at multicolour.com
http://www.multicolour.com/alexandrite/


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