Chrysoberyl

The gem of springtime, youth and innocence, the name Chrysoberyl is derived from the Greek words for golden, “chryso,” and green gemstone, “Beryl.”

Its rarest variety, Alexandrite (the color change variety of Chrysoberyl), is quite well known, although the number of people who have heard of Alexandrite is probably 100 times greater than the number who have ever seen one, and 1,000 times greater than the number who have ever owned one.

Legends and lore

Said to bring peace of mind and increase self-confidence, Chrysoberyl also promotes kindness, generosity, benevolence, hope, optimism, renewal, new beginnings, compassion and forgiveness.

Just the facts

When cut, Chrysoberyl is an extremely brilliant gem, ideal for everyday wear and is rapidly gaining in popularity.

Displaying attractive golden lemons, limes, greens, oranges and chocolates, together with an extreme brilliance, Chrysoberyl is exceptionally tough, making it ideal for everyday wear. The color in yellow Chrysoberyl is due to iron trace elements.

Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl is a translucent gem ranging in color from a honey yellow or honey chocolate to yellowish green to apple green.

It is known for its reflected light effect called chatoyancy (cat’s eye). This is achieved by cutting gems that have small, parallel “silk” inclusions into cabochons. As the gem is rotated, it exhibits a distinct, silvery white line across its dome that seems to open and close like a cat’s eye. It is so coveted that if you just mention cat’s eye, it is assumed to be in reference to Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl.

Exceptional quality Chrysoberyl has recently been unearthed in Magara, Tanzania, a region made famous by Tanzanite and Tsavorite.