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| Color |
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Golden and honey tones
to chartreuse green |
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| Gem Family |
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Chrysoberyl is a gem
family most well known for producing phenomenal
gems, including cat's-eye chrysoberyl and the color-changing
alexandrite. Cat's-eye chrysoberyl has a distinct
pupil-like band of light that sweeps from side to
side across its face. Faceted chrysoberyl is also
available with a honey-gold color. Rare faceted
Honeydew Chrysoberyl™ has a fresh spring green
color. |
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| Source |
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Most chrysoberyl is mined
in Sri Lanka, Brazil, and India. |
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| Clarity |
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Cat's-eye chrysoberyl's
"eye" is caused by fibrous inclusions that reflect
the light. Faceted chrysoberyl is transparent, with
few visible inclusions. |
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| Size Range |
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0.5 carat to 15 carats.
The color of tanzanite is most intense in sizes
above ten carats. Smaller tanzanites are usually
lighter in color. |
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| Shapes Available |
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Cat's eye is available
from 0.5 to 5 carats. Faceted transparent Honeydew
Chrysoberyl™ is available from 0.5 carats
to 1.5 carats, with individual sizes rare over three
carats. |
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| Enhancement |
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Chrysoberyl is not enhanced
in any way. |
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| Lore & History |
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Like the eye of a panther,
cat's-eye chrysoberyl seems almost supernatural
in origin. How could something so feline be mineral
and not animal? It's not surprising that in Sri
Lanka it was regarded as a powerful charm protecting
against evil spirits. Chrysoberyl has long been
considered a good-luck charm. |
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| Toughness &
Hardness |
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Chrysoberyl has a hardness
of 8.5 on the Mohs scale and it is quite tough. |
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| Care & Cleaning |
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Chrysoberyl is among
the most durable gemstones. Clean your chrysoberyl
with warm water, detergent, and a soft brush. Chrysoberyl
can be put in ultrasonic or steam cleaners. |
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| Price Range |
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Cat's eye ranges from
$150 to $5,000 per carat for stones from a half-carat
to 3 carats. Smaller sizes can be less; rare gems
above three carats can be much more. Honeydew Chrysoberyl™
is $50 to $300 for sizes from 0.5 carats to 1.5
carats. |
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| Special Characteristics |
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The most important value
factor for cat's-eyes is the strength and sharpness
of the eye. Fine cat's-eye chrysoberyl often also
shows the "milk and honey" effect. When a bright
light source is directed at the side of the stone,
one side of the eye will be milky white and the
other remains gold. When the stone is rotated, the
colors switch. The eye will open and close when
you hold the cat's-eye between two light sources
and rotate it: it splits into two bands that move
apart and back together as if the stone is winking
at you. |
