This pendant doesn't look like much in the product image, but when you see it for real, it really is what it claims to be - stunning! The silver is shiny and the gems sparkle brilliantly. It comes in a red organza bag, which is inside a very nice box, a sturdy one with a velvety inside and a metal snap button for closure. Unlike the flimsy paper boxes you get with some jewelry! For some the packaging might not be important, but I like having a safe place to store precious items.

Also, in the fluorescent indoor lighting of my house, the Alexandrite stone is a lovely shade of dark purple. Even if it stayed that way, I would say it would probably be worth the price I paid for it. But since it changes (see images) there's no doubt that it is. :)

EDIT 12/28/12:

Having owned this pendant for a few months, I have to say I love it even more now. I have replaced the box chain that came with it (which was a little too thick) with a rope chain of my own, and now it looks about 5 times more expensive than it actually was. And I have discovered that there's a veritable rainbow of colours the Alexandrite stone can appear to be. Right now under a cloudy sky it looks like a dark sea green. And in mixed light it can have more than one colour. Gorgeous!