Jewel of The Month - February 2026

An exceptional colour change Alexandrite and diamond ring has been chosen as Hancocks London's Jewel of the Month for February.

The ring is set to the centre with a 4.26-carat oval-cut Ceylon Alexandrite, celebrated for its pronounced and highly desirable colour change.

The stone, bezel set in 18ct yellow gold, is flanked by elegantly tapering shoulders channel set with calibré French cut diamonds.

Guy Burton, Managing Director of Hancocks London, said: "This Alexandrite is a lovely antique stone and one of notable historic and gemmological importance. Examples of this calibre, combining clarity, and such a strong, well-defined colour change, are increasingly difficult to source. We have chosen a contemporary yet timeless setting which has been deliberately kept understated, ensuring the gemstone itself remains the undisputed focal point."

Alexandrite belongs to the Chrysoberyl family and is among the rarest of coloured gemstones. First identified in 1834 in Russia’s Ural Mountains, it was initially mistaken for emerald before its distinctive optical properties revealed an entirely new gem variety. Legend holds that the first Alexandrite was discovered on the 16th birthday of the future Tsar Alexander II, leading to its name and its association with Imperial Russia.

Subsequent discoveries in Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka) produced stones of exceptional quality, though Alexandrite remains seldom found in significant sizes. When strong colour change, clarity and scale coincide, as they do here, the result is a gemstone of considerable rarity and value. The phenomenon itself is caused by the presence of chromium and Alexandrite’s unique absorption of light across the visible spectrum.

The ring is accompanied by an AGL certificate with colour change description confirmed as: Degree of colour change: 90%-100% and Quality of Colour Change: Excellent to Very Good.