Does Alexandrite Scratch Easily?

Gemology has determined that alexandrite is in the chrysoberyl family of gems. ... Any gem harder than 7 will be difficult to scratch, but any jewel softer than 7 will scratch easily because dust itself can scratch it. With some antiques, scratches are actually used to help date them, but not with alexandrite.

Is alexandrite easy to scratch?

A hard gem, one resistant to scratching, can be quite brittle. Resistance to breaking or chipping would be called toughness. Unfortunately, there is not a gemological scale for toughness. Nonetheless, alexandrite is hard, but only above average in toughness, which means it can be chipped.

Are alexandrite stones durable?

While diamonds are by far the most durable gemstones out there, alexandrite isn't a bad option in terms of strength. “Alexandrite is a great choice for an engagement ring due to its 8.5 out of 10 Mohs hardness,” says jewelry designer Nicole Rose Kopelman.