10 Best Alexandrite Rings on the Web

1. Modern Platinum and Diamond Alexandrite Ring

Alexandrite rings are hard to come by. I would know. As a June birthstone recipient, I spend a lot of my jewelry hunting time secretly hoping I stumble across an antique alexandrite ring in all its glory. I even remember prior to getting into the jewelry business, being shown my great grandmother’s large marquise-shaped alexandrite ring. I excitedly brought it to a jeweler to be appraised only to find out it was a synthetic from Mexico.

Most antique alexandrite rings have been scooped up by high-end antique jewelry dealers, and they come at a premium. Instead, dealers like me stumble across many Art Deco and Retrosynthetic alexandrite rings that are sold for significantly less. Modern-day synthetic alexandrite is more expensive, but commercial jewelry designers use the stone as a much less expensive birthstone alternative.

No matter your budget, you can own June’s birthstone without forking over more than you can afford. Check out some of my favorite alexandrite rings on the market right now.

Above: I would love to see this platinum diamond and alexandrite ring in person because based on my own experience, alexandrite is incredibly difficult to photograph. I want to know how much of this color change is natural and how much of it is photoshopped. Either way, this 2.88ct rarity will cost you almost as much as a diamond that’s similar in size.

Price Range: > $18,000

2. Large Victorian Style Alexandrite Ring

This large Victorian style alexandrite ring may look antique, but it’s not. The 4.19ct alexandrite ring is a modern take on an old Victorian halo mounting.

Price Range: > $37,000

Expert Tip: On any natural alexandrite gemstone that weighs over .75ct, requests a copy of a gemological report verifying natural origin. The two most reputable gem grading reports you can get come from GIA or IGI. Some in the trade argue that GIA is better for diamonds and IGI is better for gemstones. If you’re going to be spending thousands on an alexandrite, I say it can’t hurt to acquire certifications from both. There is a fine line between science and subjectivity when it comes to grading gemstones so there may be some variation between the two.

3. Luxury Designer Alexandrite Ring

Omi Prive is known for luxury, award-winning jewelry pieces, so it comes as no surprise to me that they carry a few designs with alexandrite. This 2.45ct alexandrite ring has one of the most unique hidden alexandrite halo features. Click through to the listing to check it out in more detail.

Price Range: Price Upon Request

4. Platinum Antique Art Deco Alexandrite Ring

Check out this rare art deco alexandrite ring. The 1.83ct color changing gem is paired with large and small accent diamonds weighing 1.20ctw.

Price Range: > $27,000

5. 18K Cushion Cut Halo Alexandrite Ring

This cushion cut alexandrite ring is perfect for an engagement ring or a sophisticated right-hand ring. The center stone is a 2.26-carat natural alexandrite that is accented with .59 total carats of accent diamonds.

Price Range: > $14,000

Expert Tip: Keep in mind that alexandrite is one of the most difficult gemstones to photograph. What might appear as a dull green stone to the camera is actually a dynamic color-changing gem. However, some alexandrite has less color-changing potential than others. When spending a lot of money, always recommend seeing a video of the stone at a minimum. Seeing in person is always best for alexandrite.

6. Small Natural Alexandrite Ring

If you have your heart set on owning a natural alexandrite but have less than $1,000 to spend, just go small. This .28ct alexandrite ring features an all natural gem at center and is accented with two white sapphires instead of diamonds.

Budget: < $600

7. Vintage Synthetic Alexandrite Ring

For most of us, the only option when choosing a larger alexandrite stone is to opt for a synthetic version. I like vintage versions of synthetic alexandrite like this cocktail ring from the 1940s.

I’m so used to calling synthetic alexandrite stones from this era synthetic when they are actually considered simulated.

Expert Tip: Synthetic means the stone has the same chemical composition as the stone it is replicating. Simulated means the gemstone is made from an entirely different material.

These gemstones are made from synthetic corundum that has vanadium added to allow for a color change effect. So technically, this stone is a synthetic sapphire made to look like an alexandrite.

Budget: > $300

8. Modern Lab Grown Alexandrite Ring

This type of alexandrite gem is truer to form than the alexandrite I just showed you from the 1940s. However, on lab-grown gems, the intensity of color can differ from its natural form. This lab-grown alexandrite ring is beautiful but reminds me of a mystic topaz in the photograph. This is one ring I would love to see in person before buying.

Genuine synthetic alexandrite isn’t as cheap as you might imagine because of the time and resources that go into making them.

Despite this, you’re still paying mostly for the diamond setting, and the cost of the stone comes secondary.

Budget: > $1,200

Expert Tip: There are a few different methods for creating a simulated or synthetic alexandrite. Some alexandrite on the market that is labeled as “lab-grown” is actually a simulated material that does not have the same chemical composition as alexandrite. In a way, this method is similar to the vintage method of lacing synthetic corundum with vanadium (if you’re unsure what I’m talking about, go back a slide).

However, using these terms can be deceptive because the dealer uses the term lab-grown in an unclear way to keep the price higher than it should be. Modern simulated alexandrite is not like the vintage version. It is more comparable to a CZ stone and is much less expensive than a true lab-grown alexandrite. If you’re spending several hundred or thousand dollars on a synthetic alexandrite, make sure you know the method used and whether or not it is a true synthetic.

9. Handmade Alexandrite Stacking Ring

For a couple of hundred dollars, you can opt for a small, lower quality alexandrite. If you’re going to go this route, I recommend investing in an artisan piece that is handmade and has some unique characteristic. This ring is dainty, on-trend, and you can stack it with other rings very easily. I love everything about this ring!

Shop this Ring: Alexandrite Stacking Ring in 14k Gold

10. Budget-Friendly Sterling Silver Simulated Alexandrite Rings

Let’s say you’re on a very tight budget and you just cannot afford a piece of fine jewelry. There are ways to fake it without anyone but you and your wallet knowing. Earlier I talked about simulated alexandrite stones. Two nice things about these stones are that they are inexpensive and still change color–thanks to science!

For well under $100, you can get a ring to represent June’s birthstone that will last as long as you take care of it.

This ring is a great example of costume jewelry that does a good job of faking it. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• You want the ring to be strong: This ring is made of durable sterling silver.
• You don’t want the metal to tarnish: This ring is white gold plated.
• You want good quality: All the stones are prong set in this ring.
• You want to be satisfied: This ring has great reviews.

Shop This Ring: Simulated Color Change Alexandrite White Gold Plated 925 Sterling Silver Ring