Chrysoberyl
Varieties Of Chrysoberyl
Alexandrite
Described as emerald by day and ruby by night, alexandrite is the colour change variety of chrysoberyl. In daylight the gemstone is green, and by candle light or incandescent light alexandrite will appear red. Discovered in the Russian Ural Mountains in the 1830s, Alexandrite was named after Tsar Alexander II. Alexandrite is on of the rarest and most expensive stones in the world. A strong vibrant colour change from fine green to raspberry red with few inclusions is usually only found in Russian specimens and is the most desirable from of the gem. Alexandrite in gem form rarely weighs over one to three carats.
Introduction
Chrysoberyl is one of the hardest wearing gems in jewellery, and the chrysoberyl family includes two of the most desirable gems found in jewellery. There are three varieties of chrysoberyl, the plain yellow gem, the colour changing gem alexandrite, and cat’s eye chrysoberyl. The name chrysoberyl derives from the Greek, meaning ‘Golden Beryl’.
Alexandrite is the colour change variety of chrysoberyl. Image from GIA.edu
Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl
Cat's eye has the longest history of gems in the chrysoberyl family. It was treasured in Asia before the birth of Christ and became quite well known in Rome by the end of the First Century. It is highly praised in jewellery for having the finest ‘eye’ among gems that demonstrate the phenomenon. Most chrysoberyls have a yellow to yellow-green base colour, with a bight yellow eye.
Cat’s eye chrysoberyl has the finest ‘eye’ of any chatoyant gem.
Wear & Care
Chrysoberyl is a hardwearing gem, sitting at 8.5 on the Mohs scale. Care should be taken if wearing the gem every day, especially in rings, as hard blows can chip the stone.
To clean chrysoberyl wash the stone in warm soapy water and pat dry with a soft cloth.
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History
The popularity of Cat's Eyes sky-rocked in the 19th Century after the Duke of Connaught presented his fiancee with a cat's eye betrothal ring. Ceylon, where most of the examples of cat's eye were mined could not keep up with the overwhelming demand. It can be found in many Victorian and Edwardian pieces of jewellery.
Alexandrite has been prized as a stone in Russia because of its heritage and the red and green colours in the Imperial Russian flag. It is the birthstone for June and the Anniversary Gem for the 45th and 55th year of marriage.
Metaphysical Beliefs
Cat’s eye chrysoberyl is believed to protect against the "evil" eye. In arabic tradition, it’s believed that the chrysoberyl could make the wearer invisible in battle. Alexandrite has been attributed with several mystical properties, including reinforcing one's self esteem and balancing positive and negative energy.