A 6 × 8 mm lab-grown alexandrite, marquise cut and set north–south within four veined leaves of blackened metal. The stone shifts between teal-blue and raspberry-violet as the light changes. Five heart cut accents open across each shoulder, a marquise alexandrite finishes each side, and the crown sits on a slim 2 mm band of solid sterling silver in a black ruthenium finish.
Lab-Grown Alexandrite
Visible Color Shift
Marquise Cut, 6 × 8 mm
Black Ruthenium Finish
Solid 925 Sterling Silver
Sizes 4–11
The Design
Four leaves radiate from the center stone, each cut with fine veining. On either shoulder, five heart cut accents open around a single bead in the manner of a blossom, and a marquise side stone closes each side. The band tapers to 2 mm at the back, keeping the proportion light against the width of the crown.
A prong-set cluster carries a colored center stone well: the stone sits high and open, so light reaches it from every angle rather than being shut in by metal. It is the same construction across this family of rings, and the reason the stone reads first and the setting second. If you are moving away from a plain solitaire, our guides to fantasy engagement rings and non-traditional engagement rings are a useful place to start.
The Alexandrite and Its Color Shift
Alexandrite is the stone that changes color. Under daylight it reads teal to blue-green; under warm indoor or candlelight it swings to raspberry, violet and plum. The effect is real optics, not a trick of photography — the mineral absorbs light unevenly across the spectrum, so the color you see depends entirely on what is illuminating it.
Critically, the shift is fully visible in this ring. Alexandrite set as crushed inlay under resin cannot show it; a faceted stone in an open prong setting like this one shows it clearly, because light passes through the whole stone. Our piece on whether synthetic alexandrite changes color goes into the mechanism.
This stone is lab-grown. Natural alexandrite of this size is one of the rarest gemstones on earth and prices accordingly — the lab-grown material has the same chrysoberyl chemistry and the same color-change behavior. Our comparison of lab-grown versus natural alexandrite lays out the honest trade-offs. The center measures 6 × 8 mm and is set north–south, the most elongating orientation, as our guide to marquise engagement rings explains.
Metal and Stones
The ring is solid 925 sterling silver throughout, finished in black ruthenium — a platinum-group metal that settles to a deep gunmetal rather than a flat black, holding just enough reflectivity for the leaf veining to read as texture.
The blackened setting does particular work here: with no bright metal throwing white light back into the stone, the color shift reads more cleanly than it would in polished silver.
The two marquise side stones are lab-grown alexandrite and shift with the center. The twelve white accents — ten heart cut across the shoulders, two round brilliant at the points of the center stone — are cubic zirconia. Moissanite or lab-grown diamond accents are available as a custom order.
Part of our alexandrite engagement rings and gothic engagement rings collections, alongside the rest of our black ruthenium jewelry. Alexandrite is a June birthstone — see our birthstone guide for the full calendar, and our guide to gothic wedding rings for the wider style context.
Specifications
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Center stone: Lab-grown alexandrite, marquise cut, 6 × 8 mm, north–south
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Color shift: Teal-blue in daylight to raspberry-violet in warm light — fully visible
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Side stones: Two lab-grown alexandrite marquises
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Accent stones: Twelve cubic zirconia — ten heart cut, two round brilliant
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Metal: Solid 925 sterling silver, black ruthenium finish
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Band width: 2 mm
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Setting: Prong-set cluster with veined leaf frame
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Hardness: 8.5 on the Mohs scale
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Sizes: 4 to 11, including half sizes
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Engraving: Available, up to 16 characters
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Presentation: Free luxury velvet jewelry box
Care
Alexandrite is 8.5 on the Mohs scale and well suited to daily wear. Clean with warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and household chemicals, which will dull the ruthenium finish. Store in the velvet box rather than loose with other jewelry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the color shift actually show?
Yes. The stone is faceted and set in open prongs, so light passes through it and the shift is clearly visible — teal-blue in daylight, raspberry-violet under warm indoor light. Alexandrite set as crushed inlay under resin cannot do this; this setting can.
Is the alexandrite real?
Yes. It is genuine alexandrite — chrysoberyl — lab-grown rather than mined. Same chemistry, same hardness, same color-change behavior. The difference is origin, not authenticity.
Why lab-grown rather than natural?
Natural alexandrite at 6 × 8 mm is among the rarest gemstones on earth and priced accordingly. Lab-grown gives the identical material and the identical optical effect at a fraction of the cost.
What colors does it change between?
Teal to blue-green under daylight and cool white light; raspberry, violet and plum under warm indoor light, candlelight or lamplight. The strength of the shift depends on the light source.
Are the accent stones diamonds?
No. The white accents are cubic zirconia, a simulated diamond. Moissanite or lab-grown diamond accents are available as a custom order.
Do the side stones change color too?
Yes — the two marquise side stones are lab-grown alexandrite and shift along with the center.
How dark is the black ruthenium finish?
Ruthenium finishes to a deep gunmetal rather than a flat jet black. The slight reflectivity is what allows the veining on each leaf to remain visible.
What is the ring made of?
Solid 925 sterling silver throughout, with black ruthenium as the surface finish. No brass or base metal.
How large is the center stone?
6 × 8 mm, set north–south so the length runs along the finger.
Is alexandrite durable enough for an engagement ring?
Yes. At 8.5 on the Mohs scale it is harder than most colored stones and well suited to daily wear with normal care.
Is alexandrite a birthstone?
Yes — alexandrite is one of the June birthstones, alongside pearl and moonstone.
What sizes are available?
Sizes 4 through 11, including every half size. If you fall between sizes or need something outside that range, contact us before ordering and we will advise.
Can the ring be resized?
Yes. As the shoulders carry stone clusters, resizing is best kept within one size of the original. Resizing starts from $45.
Will a wedding band sit flush against it?
Not entirely — the accent at the lower point of the center stone leaves a small gap against a straight band. A contour or chevron band will nest more closely.
Can I have it engraved?
Yes. Engraving is available on the inner band, up to 16 characters, and can be added as an option at checkout.
Are the stones ethically sourced?
Yes. All Aquamarise stones are conflict-free and responsibly sourced, and every order arrives in a free luxury velvet jewelry box.
