Comparison · Precious Stones vs Minerals
Alexandrite vs Chrysoberyl
Alexandrite and Chrysoberyl are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 8.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Alexandrite and Chrysoberyl
- Both sit near Mohs 8.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Alexandrite is transparent, Chrysoberyl is Transparent to translucent.
- They overlap in green and red, but Chrysoberyl also comes in yellow, brown, and clear.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Alexandrite is orthorhombic, Chrysoberyl is Orthorhombic.
Alexandrite vs Chrysoberyl properties
| Property | Alexandrite | Chrysoberyl |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Precious Stones | Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| Luster | vitreous | Vitreous |
| Streak | White | White |
| Transparency | transparent | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.7 | 3.65–3.8 |
| Crystal system | orthorhombic | Orthorhombic |
| Common colors | Green in daylight, Red in incandescent light | Yellow, Greenish-yellow, Green, Brown, Colorless, Color-change green/red (alexandrite) |
| Rarity | epic | common |
| Typical specimen value | $5000–$70000+ | $2–$150+ |
Which is more valuable?
Alexandrite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $15000 against $20 for Chrysoberyl, and premium Alexandrite can reach $70000 or more.
About Alexandrite
Alexandrite is a rare color-changing variety of chrysoberyl that appears green in daylight and red under incandescent light. It's one of the rarest gemstones.
About Chrysoberyl
Chrysoberyl is beryllium aluminum oxide, BeAl2O4, an orthorhombic mineral notable for exceptional hardness ranking just below corundum and diamond among natural gem minerals. Despite the beryl in its name, chrysoberyl is chemically unrelated to true beryl, which is a beryllium aluminum silicate rather than an oxide. Its most famous varieties, alexandrite and cat's eye chrysoberyl, are prized gemstones known respectively for dramatic color change and a sharp band of reflected light.
Alexandrite vs Chrysoberyl FAQ
Is Alexandrite the same as Chrysoberyl?
No. Alexandrite is a precious stone while Chrysoberyl is a mineral. Both sit near Mohs 8.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Alexandrite from Chrysoberyl?
Both sit near Mohs 8.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Hold a thin edge to the light: Alexandrite is transparent, Chrysoberyl is Transparent to translucent. They overlap in green and red, but Chrysoberyl also comes in yellow, brown, and clear.
Which is harder, Alexandrite or Chrysoberyl?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 8.5.
Which is more valuable, Alexandrite or Chrysoberyl?
Alexandrite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $15000 against $20 for Chrysoberyl, and premium Alexandrite can reach $70000 or more.
