Alexandrite, recognized as the birthstone for June by James Avery Artisan Jewelry, is a captivating gemstone celebrated for its remarkable color-changing ability. This phenomenon, shifting from blue-green in daylight to red-purple under incandescent light, contributes to the stone’s allure and symbolic significance. James Avery’s collection features lab-created alexandrite prominently in designs intended to commemorate life’s special moments, embodying the company’s core philosophy of creating jewelry with meaning.
History and Lore
James Avery, the founder of the company, believed in crafting jewelry that held personal significance for the wearer. This belief drove the design process, focusing on creating pieces that represented cherished memories and milestones. The Remembrance Ring, featuring lab-created alexandrite, exemplifies this approach, offering a tangible symbol of important life events. Avery’s dedication to meaningful jewelry extended to building lasting relationships with customers, personally connecting with them to understand the stories behind their desired pieces. The company’s commitment to this tradition continues today, with designs crafted by skilled artisans in the Texas Hill Country.
The selection of alexandrite as a June birthstone within the James Avery collection aligns with its association with special love and celebration. The gemstone’s unique optical properties lend themselves to representing individuality and cherished connections. While the sources do not detail the historical origins of alexandrite’s association with June, they emphasize its modern significance as a birthstone within the James Avery brand.
Geological Formation and Sources
The provided sources do not contain information regarding the natural geological formation of alexandrite or its natural mining locations. They specifically reference lab-created alexandrite, indicating that the gemstone used in James Avery jewelry is produced synthetically. The company sources the finest materials worldwide for its jewelry, but the origin of these materials is not detailed in the provided texts. The focus remains on the craftsmanship and design within the Texas Hill Country.
Gemological Properties
James Avery utilizes lab-created alexandrite in its jewelry, typically around 3.5mm in diameter when faceted. The gemstone is known for its distinct color-changing property: appearing blue-green in daylight or fluorescent light and transitioning to red-purple under lamp or candlelight. This characteristic is central to the stone’s appeal. The alexandrite is set in sterling silver within the Remembrance Ring and other designs. The Remembrance Ring itself weighs approximately 3 grams (size 6).
The sources do not provide details regarding the chemical composition, refractive index, or other standard gemological properties of the lab-created alexandrite used by James Avery. However, they do specify that the alexandrite used is faceted, enhancing its brilliance and color play.
The following table summarizes the available gemological information:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Gemstone | Lab-Created Alexandrite |
| Color Change | Blue-green (daylight) to Red-purple (incandescent) |
| Size | Approximately 3.5mm (faceted) |
| Setting | Sterling Silver |
| Ring Weight (Sz 6) | Approximately 3 grams |
Symbolism and Metaphysical Beliefs
While the sources do not explicitly detail traditional metaphysical beliefs associated with alexandrite, they emphasize its symbolism within the James Avery brand. The gemstone is presented as representing special love and being ideal for celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. The Remembrance Ring, specifically, is designed to honor life’s moments, suggesting that alexandrite embodies themes of memory, connection, and cherished experiences. The act of gifting alexandrite jewelry is described as a thoughtful way to celebrate someone’s individuality.
Care and Cleaning
The sources do not provide specific care and cleaning instructions for lab-created alexandrite jewelry. However, given that the jewelry is crafted from sterling silver, standard silver cleaning practices would likely be appropriate. These include gentle polishing with a soft cloth and avoiding harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. Further guidance can be obtained by contacting James Avery customer service directly.
James Avery Collections Featuring Alexandrite
James Avery offers a variety of jewelry featuring lab-created alexandrite. These include necklaces, bracelets, and rings, ranging from simple pendants to more elaborate designs. The Remembrance Ring is a signature piece, designed to commemorate special occasions. A Keepsake Heart Charm also features lab-created alexandrite, offering a heartfelt gift option. The versatility of the designs allows customers to find pieces suitable for both everyday wear and special events. The company’s online Birthstone Guide provides additional information about June’s birthstone.
Conclusion
Alexandrite, as presented by James Avery Artisan Jewelry, is more than just a beautiful gemstone; it is a symbol of meaningful connections and cherished memories. The lab-created alexandrite, with its captivating color-changing properties, is thoughtfully incorporated into designs like the Remembrance Ring and Keepsake Heart Charm, embodying the company’s commitment to creating jewelry with lasting value. The focus on craftsmanship, personal connection, and celebrating life’s milestones positions alexandrite as a significant birthstone within the James Avery collection, offering customers a unique and personalized way to commemorate special moments.