chrysoberyl
| Colour | Golden and honey tones to chartreuse green |
| Gem Family | Chrysoberyl is a gem family most well known for producing phenomenal gems, including cat's-eye chrysoberyl and the colour-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 colour. Rare faceted Honeydew Chrysoberyl™ has a fresh spring green colour. |
| Source | Most chrysoberyl is mined in Sri Lanka, Brazil, and India. |
| Clarity | Cat's-eye chrysoberyl's "eye" is caused by fibrous inclusions that reflect the light. Faceted chrysoberyl is transparent, with few visible inclusions. |
| Size Range | 0.5 carat to 15 carats. The colour of tanzanite is most intense in sizes above ten carats. Smaller tanzanites are usually lighter in colour. |
| Shapes Available | 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. |
| Enhancement | Chrysoberyl is not enhanced in any way. |
| Lore & History | 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. |
| Hardness & Toughness | Chrysoberyl has a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale and it is quite tough. |
| Care & Cleaning | 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. |
| Price Range | 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. |
| Special Characteristics | 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 colours 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. |