chrysoberyl cat's eye
The gemstone with the very special optical effect.
overview
- Naming: It gets its name from its golden yellow color, as chrysós means “gold” in Greek.
- Colour: Chrysoberyl exists in the colours golden yellow, greenish yellow, green, brownish and red.
- Cut: The cat's eye effect is a light phenomenon on the surface of the gemstone that is reminiscent of the slit-like pupil of a cat. The effect is most effective with cabochon-cut gemstones.
- Special feature: Chrysoberyl has been a well-known and valued gemstone since ancient times and is one of the few gemstones described by the Roman writer Pliny in his “Naturalis historia”.
Quality factors
Color
The colors of chrysoberyl vary between golden yellow, greenish yellow, green, brownish and red. The chrysoberyl cat's eye is characterized by a silvery-white light stripe on the surface of the gemstone.
carat
The 4Cs play an important role in the value of a gemstone. These are carat, colour, clarity and cut. The carat number indicates the weight of a gemstone. One carat (ct.) corresponds to 0.2 grams.
purity
Chrysoberyl has many fibers, which create the coveted cat's eye effect.
cut
The cat's eye effect of chrysoberyl is best shown off in a cabochon cut.
The cat's eye effect (chatoyance) of the gemstone chrysoberyl
When a "cat's eye" is mentioned in connection with gemstones, this always refers only to the chrysoberyl cat's eye. All other cat's eyes (e.g. quartz cat's eye, hawk's eye or tiger's eye) must be specified by adding the respective gemstone name. Chrysoberyl shows the finest chatoyance of all gemstones. In chrysoberyl, this is caused by the reflection of light from hollow channels arranged parallel to the gemstone. The effect is most effective in cabochon-cut gemstones. The cat's eye effect is a light phenomenon on the surface of the gemstone that is reminiscent of the slit-like pupil of a cat. This luminous strip of light glides over the surface of the gemstone when it is rotated, creating a rippling light effect.
Special Crysoberyl Gemstones
A very famous chrysoberyl, the so-called Hope chrysoberyl, is found in London. It is a light green, faceted stone weighing 45 carats.
Special occasions
No specific purpose has been assigned to chrysoberyl.
occurrence of chrysoberyl
Chrysoberyl is found mainly in Brazil and Sri Lanka, as well as in Madagascar, Russia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Myanmar and the USA. The first alexandrite, the green-red variety of chrysoberyl, was discovered in the Urals.
The prized chrysoberyl cat's eye is found especially in Sri Lanka, Brazil, China, India and Zimbabwe.
jewelry with chrysoberyl
If you are interested in a chrysoberyl or a chrysoberyl cat's eye, please feel free to contact us. At RENÉSIM, we are happy to accommodate individual gemstone requests and jewelry dreams and make them a reality. Simply contact us using the form below or by phone - we will be happy to advise you!
Chrysoberyl selection at RENÉSIM
At RENÉSIM you will find selected gemstones that you can purchase loose or in an enchanting piece of jewelry.
Further articles
A cat's eye is a bright, narrow strip of light that can be seen on the surface of a gemstone.
To the Gemstone Lexicon – Cat's Eye
The honey-colored gemstone tiger eye exhibits the optical phenomenon of the cat's eye effect when cut into a cabochon – just like chrysoberyl.
To the Gemstone Lexicon – Tiger EyeBuy gemstones
jewelry collections
Gemstones in the Lexicon
Things to know
