Alexandrite Butterfly

The Alexandrite Butterfly features a faceted 3.48 carat alexandrite gem acquired in Russia. Alexandrite is the variety of chrysoberyl that exhibits the optical phenomenon called color change. The alexandrite shows an outstanding color change from a greenish-blue under fluorescent light to a pinkish-purple under incandescent light. The accent gems are purple scapolites from Tanzania and blue apatites from Madagascar and were chosen as they mirror the colors the alexandrite exhibits under different light sources. The Alexandrite Butterfly is part of a collection of 18 jeweled butterfly brooches created and designed by Elvis "Buzz" Gray and Bernadine Johnston. The butterflies were gifted to the National Gem Collection by the Smithsonian Gem and Mineral Collectors.