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Chrysoberyl is a durable, 8.5-hardness gemstone that is a beryllium aluminum oxide with the formula BeAl2O4. While pure chrysoberyl is colorless, the mineral appears in various colors including yellow, green, and brown due to impurities. It is known for two special varieties: alexandrite, which exhibits color-change properties, and cat's eye chrysoberyl, which shows a distinct chatoyancy or "cat's eye" effect from light reflecting off parallel inclusions.

Key Characteristics

• Composition: Beryllium aluminum oxide (

  BeAl2O4

  BeAl2O4

  ).

• Hardness: 8.5 on the Mohs scale, making it a very durable gemstone.

• Color: Pure chrysoberyl is colorless, but trace amounts of iron and other elements create yellow, green, brown, and even rare blue and red hues.

• Optical Effects:

  • Alexandrite: Displays color-change phenomena, appearing green in daylight and reddish-purple under incandescent light.

  • Cat's Eye: Exhibits a unique "cat's eye" effect or chatoyancy, caused by light reflecting off tiny, parallel inclusions within the stone.

Gemstone Varieties

• Chrysoberyl:

  The general term for the transparent to translucent mineral, often found in yellowish-green, brownish-yellow, or colorless transparent varieties.

• Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl:

  A variety known for its characteristic "cat's eye" appearance, often a rich honey-brown in color.

• Alexandrite:

  A highly prized and rare chrysoberyl known for its dramatic color-changing properties.

Uses and Value

• Chrysoberyl is valued for its hardness and brilliance, making it ideal for use in jewelry.

• The value of chrysoberyl gemstones varies based on their color, transparency, and the intensity of their optical phenomena. Alexandrites with strong color changes are among the most expensive.