This rare gemstone could be yours for 'just' $2m

Dubai - The world's purest and second largest Russian alexandrite gemstone is now available for sale at Dubai International Jewellery Week

The world's purest and second largest Russian alexandrite gemstone is now available for sale at Dubai International Jewellery Week for $2 million.
The stone, which weighs 9.65cts, has been certified by GemResearch Swisslab and Swiss Foundation for the Research of Gemstones.
Thought to be named in honour of Tsar Alexander II, alexandrite stones are only found in five countries - Russia, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Madagascar - but the Russian version is considered the rarest and shows off the most dramatic colour changes from blue to purple to red when placed under different lights.
Zaheer Ansari, director of Noor Gems Japan Ltd and Zals Ltd, has brought the stone to Dubai International Jewellery Week due to the increased demand from investors for rare coloured gemstones.
He said: "Coloured stone prices always go up with time and within 30 years a value of unique alexandrites, paraibas, spinels can multiple by up to 50 times."
"Alexandrite is currently very popular, particularly among collectors in Japan, China, Russia and the USA, and we believe Dubai International Jewellery Week allows us to show off this incredible stone to jewellery lovers as well as demonstrate to the GCC jewellery retailers that they can improve their businesses by expanding their collections beyond diamonds, emeralds, and rubies."
The 21st edition of Dubai International Jewellery Week will conclude today.
- business@khaleejtimes.com
 

Alexandrite facts
Often described by gem aficionados as "emerald by day, ruby by night," alexandrite is the very rare colour-change variety of the mineral chrysoberyl. Originally discovered in Russia's Ural Mountains in the 1830s, it's now found in Russia, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Madagascar, but fine material is exceptionally rare and valuable.