Why Some Gemstones Change Color—And Which Ones Actually Do
Gallery Gems on 3rd Jun 2025
A Gemstone That Changes Color? It’s Not a Trick—It’s Nature’s Magic
Imagine owning a gem that looks greenish blue in the daylight… but turns a rich reddish purple indoors. Sounds like a fantasy, right? But for certain rare gemstones, color change is a real and awe-inspiring natural phenomenon.
At Gallery Gems, we specialize in rare, exotic stones that tell a story—and few stories are more fascinating than the science and rarity behind color-change gemstones.
What Causes Gemstones to Change Color?
Color change in gemstones happens because of how the stone interacts with different light sources—especially daylight (which is richer in blue/green light) and incandescent or candlelight (which leans warm, toward red/yellow).
The cause is typically trace elements—like chromium or vanadium—within the gemstone’s crystal structure. These elements cause the gem to absorb and reflect different wavelengths of light, depending on the light source.
This is not the same as pleochroism, where a gem shows different colors from different viewing angles. True color-change gems shift in overall body color depending on the type of light, not the angle.
The Top Color-Change (and Color-Shift) Gemstones You Should Know
1. Alexandrite
The undisputed king of color-change gemstones. Alexandrite famously shifts from green to purplish-red, depending on the lighting. It was first discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountains and is now also found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, and East Africa. Natural, untreated Alexandrite is extremely rare and valuable, often more so than diamonds.
2. Color-Change Garnet
This underrated gem offers stunning shifts from green or brown in daylight to reddish-purple in incandescent light. Found in places like Kenya, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka, color-change garnet offers serious visual drama at a much more accessible price than Alexandrite.
3. Color-Change Sapphire
These rare sapphires typically shift from blue in daylight to violet or purplish tones indoors. They offer the hardness and prestige of sapphire with a unique color personality.
4. Diaspore (Turkizite)
While not a true color-change gemstone, Diaspore, sometimes sold as Turkizite, is a notable color-shift gem. It shows soft transitions from greenish or champagne hues in daylight to peach or pink tones under warm light. Mined exclusively in Turkey, this gem is admired for its brilliance and gentle elegance.
⚠️ Note: The name “Zultanite®” is a trademarked brand name for diaspore. At Gallery Gems, we refer to this gem by its correct mineral name or the more accurate trade term Turkizite.
5. Other Rare Examples
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Spinel – Some rare specimens exhibit subtle color changes, especially between violet and steely blue.
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Fluorite – Rare examples may show color changes, usually in collector-quality specimens.
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Chrysoberyl (non-Alexandrite) – Can exhibit minor color shifts in select lighting conditions.
How to Tell If a Gemstone Changes Color
If you suspect your gemstone might change color, here’s how to test it:
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Use Two Light Sources: View the stone under daylight (or LED simulating daylight) and under incandescent or candlelight.
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Watch for a Clear Color Shift: You're looking for a change in overall color tone, not just brightness or shadow.
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Confirm with a Gemologist: A certified gemologist can properly identify whether a stone truly changes color and provide documentation.
Gallery Gems Tip: Every color-change or color-shift gemstone we offer comes with a full gemological certificate—so you never have to guess what you’re buying.
Why Collectors Love Color-Change Stones
Color-change gems feel almost alive. They reveal different sides of themselves depending on where you are—daylight, candlelight, or indoors. That adaptability, mystery, and natural beauty makes them highly prized among collectors and jewelry lovers alike.
And because they’re so rare in nature, especially untreated, they often retain or increase in value over time—making them not just beautiful, but smart investments.
Experience the Shift for Yourself
If you're looking for something that turns heads—and changes with the light—color-change gems are unlike anything else. At Gallery Gems, we offer a curated selection of rare and certified stones, including Alexandrite, color-change Garnet, and more.
✨ Explore our current inventory or contact us for sourcing options. Your next rare find could be waiting to change your world.