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CHRYSOBERYL

Chrysoberyl has been known since antiquity, the name comes from the Greek and means gold cause of its mainly golden colors. The most valued varieties are Alexandrite and Chrysoberyl cat’s-eye. Chrysoberyl is mainly found in Brazil,Sri Lanka and Madagascar also  Tanzania is  known to produce a very rare, bluish-green Chrysoberyl which is extremely valuable. One of the most famous chrysoberyl stones is a 45 carat faceted gem known as ‘The Hope’, currently displayed in London.

Chrysoberyl Cat’s – Eye , also called Cymophane means waving light in Greek.Fine , parallel inclusions produce a silver-white line , which appears as a moving light ray in a cabochon cut stone.The name Chrysoberyl Cat’s – eye is derived from this effect which reminds one of the pupil of a cat.The short term cat’s – eye always refers to Chrysoberyl , all other cat’s – eye must be designated by an additional name.

Alexandrite named after Czar Alexander II, was discovered only recently 1830 in the Urals. It is green in daylight , and light red in artificial incandescent light. Alexandrite displaying the cat’s – eye effect is great rarity.High-quality alexandrite is one of the most expensive of all gemstones.The largest cut alexandrite weighs 66ct, it is in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

The Mohs hardness is 8,5.

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