Definition

Noun: 1. A green variety of chrysoberyl used as a gemstone: Alexandrite is a rare and valuable mineral, a type of chrysoberyl, prized for its remarkable color-changing property. It typically appears green in daylight or fluorescent light and changes to a red or purplish-red under incandescent light.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The jeweler showed her a stunning alexandrite ring that shifted from emerald green to ruby red.
  • Alexandrite is the birthstone for the month of June.
  • Collectors seek high-quality alexandrite for its rarity and unique optical characteristic.

Advanced Usage

• "Alexandrite effect": The specific phenomenon of dramatic color change exhibited by the gemstone alexandrite and some other minerals.
  • The value of the stone is determined by the strength of its alexandrite effect.

Variants and Related Words

• Chrysoberyl (n): The mineral species to which alexandrite belongs. Not all chrysoberyl exhibits the color-change property.
  • While all alexandrite is chrysoberyl, not all chrysoberyl is alexandrite.

Synonyms

• Color-change chrysoberyl: A descriptive synonym emphasizing its defining property.

Noun

1. a green variety of chrysoberyl used as a gemstone