Why does alexandrite turn red?
Alexandrite, a variety of chrysoberyl, is an oddity to me. In sunlight, it's green, but under incandescent light, it turns red. Does anyone know why? (and please, no "because it wants to" answers.)
I think I can answer this in more simpler terms. There's flourescent light (white light) and incandescent light (yellow light). These 2 light sources have different wavelengths and speeds at which they travel. A gemstone is made up of a certain refractive index (how it refracts and bends light to obtain certain colors). So both of these light sources cause the stone to bend and refract light in 2 different ways. Not all stones do this because of their chemical composition and crystal structure. Hope this helps.
June's birthstone the alexandrite
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