Benitoite & Alexandrite

My crystal collection is SO massive that I'm now on the hunt for more rare (and unfortunately costly) stones. Two that I have been trying to get my hands on are Benitoite and Alexandrite. I'm wondering if anybody has either of these? If so how do they feel?! What do you use them for? What qualities do you find in them?

I haven't got those stones yet, but I have considered saving up for Alexandrite. That one is really cool -- it changes color depending on what kind of light it's being viewed under. That property just fascinates me to no end.

There is an incredible mineral collection at the Smithsonian Institute, both jewelry and natural stones; they have got some Alexandrites on display, and they show them with alternating types of light so we can see what happens to the color under each type of light. I swear, I could spend a year in that display.

shelikes2read said:

There is an incredible mineral collection at the Smithsonian Institute, both jewelry and natural stones; they have got some Alexandrites on display, and they show them with alternating types of light so we can see what happens to the color under each type of light. I swear, I could spend a year in that display.

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I really want to visit a museum soon! I would love to see Alexandrite, I've never seen it in person :O

KristinCali, if you looked in Crystal Studies, you would have seen this

http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=177177

It's my birthstone (Alexandrite) and I have studied and used it quite extensively. Lovely stone, although the only affordable variations of it to be had are lab-grown, unless you happen to have a cool $5,000+ lying around

Having said that, the lab-grown versions have given me incredible results, nonetheless.

Lotus Padma said:

KristinCali, if you looked in Crystal Studies, you would have seen this

http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=177177

It's my birthstone (Alexandrite) and I have studied and used it quite extensively. Lovely stone, although the only affordable variations of it to be had are lab-grown, unless you happen to have a cool $5,000+ lying around

Having said that, the lab-grown versions have given me incredible results, nonetheless.

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I missed that somehow! Thank you for referring me, I think that's exactly what I was looking for, checking that thread out now

Kristincali, if you go to the rubylane website, you'll see a great article on fake vs real Alexandrite there. I was shocked to see the prices of the real...lol! Sorry I can't post the link, we are not meant to post blog links here...

I still think the lab grown stuff is ok, if you get a really good quality specimen! My strongest one was made using the Czochralski process http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czochralski_process and is very useful for meditation and inner sight work. My other ones are prettier but that one has the most presence.

Lotus Padma said:

Kristincali, if you go to the rubylane website, you'll see a great article on fake vs real Alexandrite there. I was shocked to see the prices of the real...lol! Sorry I can't post the link, we are not meant to post blog links here...

I still think the lab grown stuff is ok, if you get a really good quality specimen! My strongest one was made using the Czochralski process http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czochralski_process and is very useful for meditation and inner sight work. My other ones are prettier but that one has the most presence.

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Thank you for the information! I know how expensive alexandrite is and that makes me want it even more! haha. I'm looking into the rubylane site right now.