Often described by admirers as an “emerald by day and a ruby by night,” the alexandrite stone typically appears green in the sunlight and red in incandescent light, making it one of the world’s most fascinating gemstones. Interestingly, because the unique gem is so rare and so expensive, few people today have ever seen the alexandrite stone up close and in person. This color-change gemstone is also known as the stone of good fortune, love and intellect.

Check out this colorful and helpful guide to alexandrite—a one-of-a-kind and once-in-a-blue moon crystal!

The chameleon of all gemstones with its ever-changing color scheme, alexandrite is a rare and beautiful stone that looks different depending on the light it appears in. Unfortunately, naturally found alexandrite is disappearing, making the stone even more scarce and valuable.

The change from green to red—or shades thereof—happens due to a chemical interaction between beryllium in the mineral and impurities from chromium. Since these two elements rarely come in contact, alexandrite is an incredibly rare and precious gem that is prized for its exceptional appearance.

To that end, alexandrite is rarely sold in sizes over one carat due its low supply and great demand.

Alexandrite is known as a chrysoberyl, a beryllium aluminum oxide. It is comprised of beryllium, chromium and aluminum oxide. While best known for its emerald and ruby colors, because of its composition, alexandrite can also feature shades of pink, purple, blue and gray. As a general rule, the deeper the colors and the bigger the shift in hue, the better the alexandrite stone.

One of the hardest gemstones available across the globe, the rare alexandrite ranks at 8.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Most alexandrite today comes from Brazil, East Africa, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, countries that have rich mineral deposits.

Depending on where alexandrite is found, its size and value will vary. Because the stone was so rare and in such short supply, the alexandrite gem began to be grown in the lab starting in the 1960s; now it can be grown through a variety of methods that mimic natural alexandrite and lab-made alexandrite is also more affordable and ethical on the whole.

The chemical composition of alexandrite is BeAl2O4 (beryllium aluminum oxide) and the refractive index is 1.746-1.755, which indicates that the stone is doubly refractive.

Alexandrite was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia, home to an emerald mine, in the 1830s and was originally thought to be an emerald stone due to its green color. When the light changed along with the stones’ color, however, the miners who discovered it recognized that they had found something new and wonderful—they believed there might be some magic in these color-shifting stones.

Alexandrite is named for Russian Czar Alexander the II, who was known for liberating the serfs before being assassinated in 1881. The precious stone has long been beloved in Russia because its stunning red and green hues match the national military colors of Imperial Russia.

However, almost all of the alexandrite in Russia was mined during the 19th century, so it is no longer found in Russia.

Interestingly, Dr. George Frederick Kunz, who worked for the Illustrious Tiffany jewelry company starting in the late 1800s, was besotted by alexandrite the first time he saw it, according to stories and legends. As part of his longtime quest to find and offer the “world’s most extraordinary gemstones,” he then traveled to Russia to buy as much as he could get his hands on and Tiffany was known for its copious alexandrite supply for several decades. Today, the company is still known for its fine and luxurious gems.

Alexandrite is widely recognized for its powers of restoration and healing, which may help the spleen and pancreas detoxify the entire body and support blood circulation.

Overall, the alexandrite crystal is said to offer healing and support for the mind, body and emotions, hitting the trifecta of health and wellness. It has been used for its healing properties for many decades.

Alexandrite is especially well known for its physical healing properties. Fans claim that it helps the body heal faster from illness or surgery while cleansing the internal organs, and that is ideal for those who suffer from chronic illnesses or nervous conditions.

As the organ of the spleen, which is known as the seat of emotions in Chinese medicine, alexandrite may also help the body detoxify and rebalance and can be of assistance in times of stress or anxiety. Proponents recommend keeping an alexandrite stone nearby when the body needs a little extra healing, support with digestion or to regulate fertility.

The gem alexandrite can also support emotional and mental healing, offering a source of joy, balance, rejuvenation, confidence and self-esteem.

Alexandrite is said to help its wearers and bearers find more balance between heartfelt emotions and rational thought. It can also help with processing both day-to-day and big emotions and to recalibrate and welcome change.

Furthermore, alexandrite is sometimes referred to as a stone of manifestation, one that can help its wearers manifest and realize their goals and dreams. It is also calming and soothing in times of need.

Sometimes called a “guardian stone,” alexandrite attracts bright and positive energy while supporting greater balance in emotions and the spirit. It is often described as a good omen or a stone of good fortune because the miners who discovered it had such great luck in finding the beautiful stone to begin with.

Because of its color-changing properties, alexandrite is hailed as a “go between” the spiritual and physical worlds, one that is able to transcend planes and properties. Likewise, it supports both balance in mind and body and a stronger willingness to accept change.

In addition, alexandrite is beloved for its ability to enhance creativity and intuition while supporting greater understanding and connection. As a stone of abundance, it may also help wearers attract wealth and success into their lives.

Finally, the centering stone can help remind you who you are at your core so that it is easier to decisions that follow that path.

When it comes to the seven chakras or energy centers in the body, alexandrite has a special connection with both the heart chakra, or anahata chakra, as well as the crown chakra, which is also known as the sahasrara chakra. Alexandrite is a great addition to a chakra balancing or opening practice.

The heart chakra is the fourth energy center and is located at our beating heart, the center of love, well-being, emotions and connection with others.; it is represented by the color green—one of the hallmark colors of the alexandrite crystal. Alexandrite can free up the heart space and create more openness, purity and clarity to invite in more opportunities for love and connection. It may also serve to spark new romance.

As an intellectual stone, alexandrite also has a beautiful connection with the crown chakra, which is represented by the color purple or ultraviolet; this top chakra is all about our connection to spirit and a greater consciousness—our highest self.

Great for the heart and crown chakras, alexandrite can help to balance and realign all seven of the chakras in a meditation, breathwork or yoga session. During that time, it can be held in the palm of one hand or placed next to the forehead.

Alexandrite, of course, can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of their zodiac sign or birth date. However, it is a special stone for both Gemini in particular. As one of the birthstones for June, Gemini is the sign of contrasts and duality, representing the changing colors of alexandrite as well as the balance in the middle of it all. The stone for June birthdays can bring good fortune and joy to its wearers.

Astrologists also believe that alexandrite can be a special support for Aries, which is known for its fire and grounding, as well as Cancer signs and ascendants of Leo, Virgo and Taurus.

Finally, alexandrite is said to be a gem for the planet Mercury, the cerebral planet, because it is an intellectual stone that connects with higher planes and powers.

In addition to pearl and moonstone, alexandrite is a birthstone for those born in the month of June. And for those celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary, the alexandrite stone is also a traditional gemstone. Alexandrite stone has also been called the stone of “Friday’s child.”

A magical, colorful and highly unusual stone, alexandrite has a potent history, a treasured present and a precarious future, due to lack of natural alexandrite sources in the world today. Nevertheless, the color-changing stone is beloved across the globe for its otherworldly beauty and chameleon-like properties.

Alexandrite can be used to support greater connection in relationships, greater health and wellness, and greater good fortune in general. The mystical stone is popular among jewelers and jewelry fans, but increasingly hard to find and purchase, particularly in its natural form.

From the mines of Russia to the legend books, alexandrite is an expensive, unusual and one-of-a-kind gemstone that is unforgettable to the eye of the rare beholder.

It is always important to handle alexandrite pendants, bracelets, rings or other jewelry with care due to their value, however, due to its hardness, it is hard to damage alexandrite with other jewels. You can rinse your alexandrite jewelry with warm water and place it in a warm place to dry; you can also brush it with a new toothbrush for finer cleaning. Avoid storing alexandrite jewelry near chemical agents or with anything else that could potentially scratch it. It is also advised to avoid extreme temperatures when wearing or storing alexandrite bracelets, rings or necklaces.

While it is among the most rare gemstones, alexandrite is not the most rare of all. In fact, the title of “rarest of all gems” belongs to painite, which is a very rare borate mineral.

Jewelers and fans state that you get much more than you pay for when it comes to alexandrite, yet you will be paying for it! A one carat alexandrite can range in price from as little as $1,000 up to $30,000 or more. In 2014, a Russian alexandrite that was about 21 carats was sold for $1.325 million Swiss Francs. Beware of bargains because alexandrite is never, ever inexpensive to buy.

If you choose to invest in alexandrite, make sure that the gem is certified by a reputable lab or expert to ensure authenticity and that you visually study the alexandrite stone to ascertain color clarity and vibrancy. Finally, it is always important to purchase alexandrite jewelry from a reputable seller.

You can enjoy alexandrite stones both personally and professionally! It can be used as jewelry—alexandrite pendants, bracelets, rings and amulets are all stunning conversation pieces.

You can also place alexandrite in your work space to bolster energy and connection. It is also a reportedly “good vibe” for anywhere in the home, including the bedroom, a yoga space, the kitchen or the living room. Finally, alexandrite is said to offer protection during travels or other periods of change.

While alexandrite is clearly powerful on its own, it can also be combined with a variety of other crystals, including lapis lazuli, tiger iron, sapphire, carnelian and many others. Depending on the combination of crystals, the duo can work together to spark creativity, intuition, success, abundance and more.