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CHRYSOBERYL
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ROMANCE, HISTORY & LORE
Chrysoberyl, one of the gemstone kingdom’s most phenomenal gems, has been prized for thousands of years as a talisman of good luck. Especially treasured for its cat-eye phenomenon, in some cultures, chrysoberyl was carried as a charm protecting against evil spirits. Chrysoberyl has long been considered a good-luck charm in many cultures.
Today, chrysoberyl is an affordable, yet often-overlooked gemstone. In its classic form, chrysoberyl ranges from honey-gold to green in color, and translucent to transparent in clarity. It is sometimes compared to citrine or yellow sapphire, though chrysoberyl is far more affordable.
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ORIGINS
Chrysoberyl forms within metamorphic rocks containing beryllium, which exist in only a few parts of the world. Deposits have been found in Brazil, Madagascar, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, the United States and Zimbabwe.
Despite what many assume, chrysoberyl is not a member of the beryl gemstone family.
SELECTING A STONE
The rarest form of chrysoberyl is alexandrite, a gem that displays remarkable response to light. Under incandescent light, alexandrite appears red. However, when moved into sunlight, it becomes deep green. No other known gemstone displays such dramatic color-changing properties. Because alexandrite is both unique and rare, it is very expensive.
Another well-known form of chrysoberyl is cymophane, which features the most distinct cat’s-eye formation of all gemstones. When cut in a cabochon, cymophane displays a pupil-like band that appears to open and close when moved in the light, like a winking cat’s-eye. This phenomenon is caused by fibrous inclusions that reflect light in a sharply defined pattern. The short term “cat’s-eye” always refers to chrysoberyl; all other cat’s-eye must be qualified.The color of cymophane chrysoberyl ranges from a honey-brown to green, and its value is determined by the strength and sharpness of the cat’s-eye.
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