It is confusing for beginners to compare Alexandrite vs. Amethyst.
These stones have many similar properties.
It is hard to distinguish them if you look at these stones for the first time.
We will give you details about these stones to help you identify them.
Alexandrite vs. Amethyst
We should look for the physical and chemical properties of the Amethyst and Alexandrite to identify the differences.
Learning about the source of these crystals is essential because you can differentiate some crystals from the source information.
One can learn why people find it hard to distinguish between the Alexandrite vs. Amethyst.
It will help them when they have both stones in their hands as they will know what to look for.
Amethyst is a popular crystal due to the purple color with some red shade.
Alexandrite can appear purple when you place it in the candlelight.
It is hard to distinguish them in the candlelight because they will show the same color with a high luster.
Most crystal collectors like to keep one Alexandrite crystal with them due to its color-changing properties.
Amethyst is a purple crystal that does not change color in candlelight.
What Is Alexandrite?
Alexandrite crystals consist of oxides of different metal atoms.
Nature makes these crystals by the combination of Beryllium and Aluminum oxide.
Alexandrite has a green color in the daylight.
This color is due to the chromium impurities in the crystals.
These crystals form when there are large deposits of Beryllium in the lava.
The crystal forms when the repeating units of Beryllium and Aluminum undergo an oxidation reaction.
You cannot find Alexnderite everywhere because it has few sources worldwide.
It is also rare to find a high-quality Alexandrite in the market.
The price can be higher than the diamond’s price.
Rock collectors thought that it was green mineral-like many others.
They noticed something new when they put it in the candlelight.
Due to its color-changing properties, every rock collector wants to keep one Alexandrite crystal in his collection.
A high level of hardness is the most crucial feature of the Alexandrite.
It has a hardness score of 8.5 on the Moh hardness scale.
People also like this crystal because of its high luster.
What Is Amethyst?
You can find the Amethyst crystals in the purple color with some red shade.
The crystal may appear blue also if it has a low concentration of iron impurities.
Iron becomes purple when you expose it to gamma radiation.
This process is known as irradiation as it can change the chemical and physical properties of a substance.
You cannot scratch the Amethyst with low hardness substances because it has a hardness score of 7 on the Moh hardness scale.
People like to use it for jewelry due to its shiny surface.
You can get it for a low price because it is available in different sources worldwide.
Most of the world’s amethyst comes from Brazil.
Brazil has the most high-quality Amethyst deposits.
You can put some light in the cracks between all types of rocks to look for Amethyst.
The deep purple color Amethyst crystals are high-quality gems.
You can find them in the rocks made from molten lava.
Most experts think you cannot get high-quality Amethyst from other types of rocks.
The largest Amethyst crystals are available in the geodes.
You can break a geode to see the Amethyst crystals inside.
What Are the Differences between Alexandrite vs. Amethyst?
The most crucial difference between the Amethyst and Alexandrite is the chemical structure. Amethyst form when you have silica crystals with iron impurities. It also undergoes radiation exposure to get the purple color.
You can classify Alexandrite as a mineral because of its chemical composition.
It is made from the oxides of Aluminum and Beryllium.
There is also some difference in the abundance of these crystals.
You can find Amethyst in different sources worldwide.
There was only one high-quality Alexandrite source in Russia.
Miners have exhausted that source as there are no high-quality Alexandrites there anymore.
You cannot get Alexandrite at a lower price due to rarity.
You can get Amethyst crystals for a few dollars.
You may have to become a millionaire to buy a high-quality Alexandrite.
What Are the Similarities between Alexandrite vs. Amethyst?
You can find both stones in the igneous rocks because they have similar formation processes. You can mine them from the same type of rocks. There is some redness in both of these stones.
Amethyst has a red shade due to iron impurities.
Alexandrite becomes purple in the candlelight due to its peculiar chemical composition.
You can polish these stones to use in the jewelry.
You will look great when you wear jewelry from one of these crystals.
It is hard to scratch the crystals with a knife.
You may need special material to scratch them.
Why People Confuse the Alexandrite and Amethyst Stones?
People confuse them because they may appear the same in a specific type of light. Some sellers use specific light in their stores to show the quality of the crystals.
The Alsendrite and Amethyst will appear the same in that light.
People also confuse these stones because they have never seen an authentic Alexandrite.
They may find synthetic Alexandrite in the market with purple color.
They think that Amethyst and Alexandrite have the same color.
People always think they got an Alexandrite because of its high value.
They will show people that they have found the Alxendrite from Russia.
It confuses people because they call their Amethyst the Alexandrite.
To Summarize: Alexandrite vs. Amethyst
Some points will summarize the properties of Alexandrite and Amethyst.
It is better to remember all these points to avoid scam sellers that sell Amethyst crystals by labeling them as Alexandrite.
- Amethyst has a purple color in all types of lights.
- Alexandrite has a green color that turns purple in the candlelight.
- Amethyst is an inexpensive stone.
- Alexandrite may cost more than the price of diamonds.
- You can find both stones in Russia.
- People confuse these stones because they appear the same in the candlelight.
- Sellers also label the Amethyst crystals falsely to get high profits by selling them as Alexandrite.