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Chrysoberyl
Chrysoberyl is found in two types – the alexandrite variety and the cymophane variety. The name is derived from the Greek word beryllos, thought to refer to green gemstones (although there is some controversy about this), and chryso, meaning ‘golden.’ Click here to view chrysoberyl jewellery at Astley Clarke.
The alexandrite, variety is very rare, and strongly pleochroistic (having many different colours in one stone) and, according to light, shows a colour change from green to red. Alexandrite from the Ural Mountains in Russia is green by daylight and red by incandescent light. The best examples of alexandrite chrysoberyl are found in Zimbabwe. It has also been discovered in Sri Lanka, India, Brazil and Myanmar. Alexandrite is durable and hard, making it very popular and suitable for use in designer jewellery.
The cymophane variety is translucent yellowish. It has its derivation from the Greek words meaning ‘wave’ and ‘appearance’, which refers to the chatoyancy exhibited. Chatoyancy is an optical iridescence which gives a ‘cat’s eye’ effect. This fascinating phenomenon is brought about by very fine inclusions in the stone, which reflect light so that it appears on the surface of the stone as a bright strip, similar to the eye of a feline predator. When the stone is turned, this strip seems to glide away across the surface of the stone. Although other minerals such as tourmaline, corundum, spinel and quartz can form "cat's eye" stones similar in appearance to cymophane, these are known in the jewelry industry as "quartz cat's eyes", or "ruby cat's eyes" and only chrysoberyl can be referred to as "cat's eye" with no other designation. These are a genuine rarity found in only a few deposits in the world.
Chrysoberyl is largely green or yellow-green, but some is brown. It was very popular for use in jewellery in Victorian and Edwardian times.
Chrysoberyl has long been regarded as having protective qualities for the wearer. Cymophane, because of its cat’s eye appearance, is seen as a particularly effective talisman. Chrysoberyl is often associated with wealth because of its gold appearance.
Alexandrites are usually faceted, but cat’s eyes are always cut into cabochons, since this is the only way to render the line of the ‘eye’ properly visible.
Click here to view Contemporary Designer Jewellery at Astley Clarke
The alexandrite, variety is very rare, and strongly pleochroistic (having many different colours in one stone) and, according to light, shows a colour change from green to red. Alexandrite from the Ural Mountains in Russia is green by daylight and red by incandescent light. The best examples of alexandrite chrysoberyl are found in Zimbabwe. It has also been discovered in Sri Lanka, India, Brazil and Myanmar. Alexandrite is durable and hard, making it very popular and suitable for use in designer jewellery.
The cymophane variety is translucent yellowish. It has its derivation from the Greek words meaning ‘wave’ and ‘appearance’, which refers to the chatoyancy exhibited. Chatoyancy is an optical iridescence which gives a ‘cat’s eye’ effect. This fascinating phenomenon is brought about by very fine inclusions in the stone, which reflect light so that it appears on the surface of the stone as a bright strip, similar to the eye of a feline predator. When the stone is turned, this strip seems to glide away across the surface of the stone. Although other minerals such as tourmaline, corundum, spinel and quartz can form "cat's eye" stones similar in appearance to cymophane, these are known in the jewelry industry as "quartz cat's eyes", or "ruby cat's eyes" and only chrysoberyl can be referred to as "cat's eye" with no other designation. These are a genuine rarity found in only a few deposits in the world.
Chrysoberyl is largely green or yellow-green, but some is brown. It was very popular for use in jewellery in Victorian and Edwardian times.
Chrysoberyl has long been regarded as having protective qualities for the wearer. Cymophane, because of its cat’s eye appearance, is seen as a particularly effective talisman. Chrysoberyl is often associated with wealth because of its gold appearance.
Alexandrites are usually faceted, but cat’s eyes are always cut into cabochons, since this is the only way to render the line of the ‘eye’ properly visible.
Click here to view Contemporary Designer Jewellery at Astley Clarke
