10 Color Changing Gemstones That Will Surely Surprise You!
Gemstones have been treasured and valued throughout history for their beauty, rarity, and symbolism. While most people are familiar with gemstones that come in a single color, a lesser-known group of gemstones exhibits color change. These unique stones are called color-changing gemstones and are some of the world’s most fascinating and valuable gems.
Color-changing gemstones are rare and prized for their ability to change color under different lighting situations. This phenomenon is caused by the interaction between the gemstone’s crystal structure and the light reflected off it.
In this article, we will tell you about the 10 most popular color-changing gemstones, including Alexandrite, Color Change Garnet, Andesine, etc.
Alexandrite:
Alexandrite is a rare and precious gemstone that was first discovered in Russia in the 1830s. It is named after the Russian Tsar Alexander II and is known for its striking color change from green to red under different lighting conditions. This gem is a type of chrysoberyl and is one of the most expensive color-changing gemstones.
The color change in Alexandrite is due to the presence of chromium and iron in the crystal structure. In natural daylight, Alexandrite appears green or bluish-green, while under incandescent light, it appears reddish-purple. This effect is known as “The Alexandrite Effect” and is highly sought after by gem collectors and enthusiasts.
Color Changing Garnet:
Color Changing Garnet is a type of Garnet that exhibits a color change from blue-green to purple-red under different lighting conditions. It is a rare and valuable gemstone that is primarily found in East Africa, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka. Color Changing Garnet is known for its high clarity and brilliant luster, making it a popular jewelry choice.
The color change in this Garnet is due to the presence of vanadium and chromium in the crystal structure. As a result, in natural daylight, Color Change Garnet appears blue-green, while under incandescent light, it appears purple-red. This effect is highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts, making Color Changing Garnet one of the most sought-after color-changing gemstones.
Andesine:
Andesine is a type of feldspar that exhibits a color change from green to red-orange under different lighting conditions. It is a rare and valuable gemstone that is primarily found in Tibet and the United States. Andesine is known for its high clarity and brilliance, which makes it a popular choice for jewelry.
The color change in Andesine is due to the presence of copper and iron in the crystal structure. As a result, in natural daylight, Andesine appears green, while under incandescent light, it appears red-orange. This effect is highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts, making Andesine one of the most sought-after color-changing gemstones.
Color Changing Sapphires:
Color Changing Sapphires are a type of corundum that exhibits a color change from blue to purple under different lighting conditions. They are a rare and valuable gemstone that is primarily found in Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. These Sapphires are also known for their high clarity and brilliant luster, making them a popular jewelry choice.
The color change in these sapphires is due to the presence of vanadium and iron in the crystal structure. As a result, these sapphires appear blue in natural daylight, while they appear purple under incandescent light. This effect is highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts, making color-changing sapphires one of the most sought-after color-changing gemstones.
Diaspore:
Diaspore is a type of mineral that exhibits a color change from green to pinkish-brown under different lighting conditions. It is a relatively new gemstone that was first discovered in Russia in the 1800s. Diaspore is known for its high clarity and unique color change, making it a popular jewelry choice.
The color change in Diaspore is due to the presence of manganese in the crystal structure. In natural daylight, Diaspore appears green, while under incandescent light, it appears pinkish-brown. This effect is highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts, making Diaspore one of the most sought-after color-changing gemstones.
Spinel:
Spinel is a type of mineral that exhibits a color change from blue to purple under different lighting conditions. It is a rare and valuable gemstone that is primarily found in Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Myanmar. Furthermore, this spinel is known for its high clarity and brilliance, making it a popular jewelry choice.
The color change in this gem is due to the presence of chromium in the crystal structure. As a result, in natural daylight, Spinel appears blue, while under incandescent light, it appears purple. This effect is highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts, making this gem one of the most sought-after color-changing gemstones.
Color Changing Fluorite:
Color Changing Fluorite is a type of mineral that exhibits a color change from blue to violet under different lighting conditions. It is a relatively new gemstone that was first discovered in China in the 1990s. Color Changing Fluorite is known for its high clarity and unique color change, making it a popular jewelry choice.
The color change in Fluorite is due to the presence of rare earth elements in the crystal structure. As a result, in natural daylight, This Fluorite appears to be blue, while under incandescent light, it appears violet. This effect is highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts, making Color Change Fluorite one of the most sought-after color-changing gemstones.
Color Changing Diamonds:
While most diamonds are known for their colorlessness, there are a few rare diamonds that exhibit a color change under different lighting conditions. These diamonds are known as color-changing diamonds and are highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts. The color change in these diamonds is due to trace amounts of boron and nitrogen in the crystal structure, which causes the diamond to shift from blue or green in natural daylight to pink or red under incandescent light.
Opals:
Opals are a unique type of gemstone that exhibits a color change known as “play-of-color.” This effect is due to the presence of tiny silica spheres in the crystal structure, which diffract light and create a rainbow of colors that shift and change as the opal is viewed from different angles. Some opals also change color under different lighting conditions, shifting from green to yellow or blue to purple. These opals are highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts and are a beautiful addition to any jewelry collection.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, color-changing gemstones are some of the world’s most fascinating and valuable gems. From Alexandrite to Color Changing Diamonds, these unique stones exhibit a color change under different lighting conditions, making them highly prized by collectors and enthusiasts. So if you’re looking for an amazing and rare gemstone to add to your collection, consider investing in a color-changing gemstone. Not only are they beautiful and captivating, but they are also a great investment that will hold their value for years to come.
