One of Earth's most rare and spectacular gemstones, Alexandrite is rightfully labeled "The Most Expensive Gemstone in The World." With its ability to change color from a rich blue-ish green in sunlight to a strong raspberry red in incandescent light, anyone fortunate enough to personally view this gemstone never forgets the experience. Discovered in Russia's Ural Mountains in 1830, the gemstone was named after Czar Alexander II because the green and red colors were the national colors of Russia. The gemstone is a form of chrysoberyl, beryllium aluminate, with chromium and/or vanadium as an impurity. A chromium impurity can produce the red in a ruby and vanadium can produce the green in an emerald, depending on crystal structure and bonding characteristics. The presence of chromium and vanadium produces Alexandrite's color, but the forces are so evenly balanced that an intermediate color state is produced. It is also possible to produce a similar color change effect in corundum and, until we were able to offer True Laboratory-Grown Alexandrite, we offered the corundum form under the color name "Morning Glory" (now discontinued). Although the stones are attractive and show a fair color change, the Chrysoberyl form, the only authentic Lab-Grown Alexandrite, is clearly much more beautiful and desirable. Be careful not to be fooled by unscrupulous dealers offering this cheaper corundum simulation.