Alexandrite: An inclusion

At G.F. Williams, we handle a wide variety of gemstones, each with its own story. When a new stone arrives, it undergoes a thorough gemmological inspection—often under the microscope.

One recent stone stood out: an Alexandrite with a remarkable colour change and unusual inclusions. These inclusions resembled ripples of water over sand—an effect we hadn’t encountered before. It immediately raised questions about the stone’s origin, even prompting comparisons to the flux residue seen in synthetic emeralds.

After much discussion and close examination by the whole team, we decided to investigate further. The answer lay within: the phenomenon is known as roiling, a form of growth zoning observed in Alexandrites from certain regions in Brazil. Experts note that this effect occurs when the host crystal shifts slightly during formation, resulting in a cloudy or hazy appearance.

We’ve attached an image for those curious to see this fascinating inclusion up close.

Posted: Tuesday 15 July 2025