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Chrysoberyl
This is the true chrysoberyl, also known
as golden chrysoberyl, a synonym, the prefix chryso being
Greek for golden. It is the most common variety of chrysoberyl
Appearance The color varies from yellow to greenish yellow
or green, brownish yellow, or pale yellow. It has basically
the same color range as cat's eye (cymophane) with a bit more
green or brown.
Mixed oval or round cuts or even triangular, marquise, or
pear-shaped cuts are all used-any cut, in fact, which can
set off the excellent luster of the stone, and allow it to
be used even in jewelry of complex design.
Distinctive features The
color can frequently be fairly similar to that of certain
beryls, or to some particularly yellow olivines; but it has
greater luster than these two stones It also has quite different
refractive indices and a different density from that of beryl.
When the color is pale yellow, r can closely resemble what
is known as yellow sapphire but the density is different.
Occurrence Chrysoberyl is
mainly found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar.
Value Although of some importance
in the past, it is comparatively little known and appreciated
today, probably o account of its rather weak color. Its value
is according, quite low, about the same as that of beryls,
tourmalines and spinels of unexceptional color.
Simulants and synthetics
Very occasionally, a few greenish yellow synthetic spinels,
which could be regarded as imitations of chrysoberyl, appear
on the gem market Synthetic yellow chrysoberyl, on the other
hand, does now appear to exist on the market, which is hardly
surprising given the modest value of the genuine article and
the coo plexity and high cost of synthesis.
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