chrysoberyl, alexandrite, synthetic alexandrite, gems

Reports the examination of an alexandrite whose internal characteristics made the determination of natural versus synthetic origin problematic. The authors describe the gemological and microscopic features used in reaching an identification, emphasizing the diagnostic significance of inclusions and growth structures and the difficulties that may arise when apparently natural-looking features occur in synthetic material. The study illustrates the need to evaluate the complete combination of internal, optical and other gemological properties rather than relying on a single diagnostic feature when separating natural alexandrite from its synthetic counterparts.