| Chrysoberyl has been known since ancient times and the name comes from the Greek word for gold. Its most famous varieties include alexandrite, named after Czar Alexander II, and chrysoberyl cat's eye, also called cymophane. Chyrsoberyl is a very hard gem, rating 8.5 on the Mohs scale right behind corundum and diamond.
Chrysoberyl colors
Buying Chrysoberyl
Where is Chrysoberyl found?
Common Chrysoberyl Treatments
World-famous Chrysoberyl
Chrysoberyl gemology
Chrysoberyl legends & lore
Chrysoberyl colors
Transparent faceted Chrysoberyl is usually found in golden yellow, yellowish-green to green, yellow, as well as shades of brown and red. Alexandrite, the rare color-change variety, is green in daylight and reddish in artificial incandescent light. Buying Chrysoberyl
Color
As for most gemstones, value tends to vary with color saturation.
Lighting
Alexandrite is green in daylight and light red in artificial incandescent light.
Clarity
Chrysoberyl usually has excellent brilliance and luster. Eye clean stones should be the first choice.
The cat's eye effect is caused by microscopic needle-like inclusions. The term "cat's eye" always refers to chrysoberyl cat's eyes whereas all other cat's eyes must be designated by an additional name, like "tourmaline cat's eye".
Cut
Stones are fashioned mainly in step and brilliant cut. Cat's eyes are fashioned in cabochon cut. Chrysoberyl location and deposits
Chrysoberyl deposits are in Brazil (Minas Gerais, Esperito Santo), Madagascar, Myanmar (Burma), Russia, United States and Zimbabwe.
Chysoberyl cat's eyes are found in Brazil, China, India, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
Alexandrite deposits are in Brazil (Minas Gerais), Madagascar, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Common Chrysoberyl treatments
None World-famous Chrysoberyl
The famous "Hope" chrysoberyl in London, a light green, faceted stone of 45 ct is completely clean.
The largest alexandrite, with a weight of 1876 ct, was found in Sri Lanka.
The largest cut alexandrite, 66 ct, belongs to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. Chrysoberyl gemology
Species: Beryl
Color: Golden-yellow, green-yellow, green, brownish, red
Chemical composition: BeAl2O4 beryllium
Crystal system: (Orthorhombic) thick-tabled, intergrown triplets
Hardness: 8.5 (Mohs scale)
Specific gravity: 3.70 - 3.78
Refractive index: 1.746 - 1.763
Birefringence: +0.007 to +0.011
Optical character:
Color of streak: White
Absorption spectrum: 504, 495,485, 445
Fluorescence: Usually none. Green: weak; dark red The Chrysoberyl zodiac, myth & legend
Chrysoberyl and its varieties did not make it into the books of mythical and legendary fame. |
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