Alexandrite - Alexandrite ranks alongside ruby as one of the world's most desirable and expensive colored gemstones. When viewed under sunlight or fluorescent light, Alexandrite appears medium to bluish green, when seen by candlelight or incandescent light, it appears violet red. This effect is not unique to alexandrite as many gem types display color change (sapphire, garnet, apatite, tourmaline, obsidian, etc.), however the degree of color change exhibited by alexandrites is the most extreme ever encountered in natural gems. Cat's eyes and stars in all gem varieties have long been coveted for their beautiful and mysterious optical effects. Glance at a cat's eye alexandrite and you will see a band of light gliding across the surface. Sometimes a fainter second arm of light will intersect the bright band, creating a color changing star alexandrite. Today the world's major source of alexandrite is in the state of Minas Gerias, Brazil. Along with the pearl, alexandrite is the June birthstone.