CHRYSOBERYL
A very rare mineral, Chrysoberyl of gemstone quality is even rarer. Chrysoberyl, named after the Greek words for golden (chryso) and green (beryl), is mostly light yellow in colour, although orange, green and brown specimens are known.
Chrysoberyl’s value increases with the gemstone’s colour saturation. With a hardness of 8½, Chrysoberyl is also one of the hardest gemstones.
Chrysoberyl was once called 'Chrysolite', a term used to describe any gemstone with a golden-green to olive colouring. More importantly, despite its name, Chrysoberyl is not a Beryl. While the two share a similar appearance and composition, Chrysoberyl is classified as its own independent mineral group and species.
Sources: Key sources of Chrysoberyl are in Brazil, Australia, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Myanmar and Russia.
Similar gemstones: Golden Beryl, lemon Quartz, demantoid Garnet, imperial Topaz, Peridot, Yellow Sapphire, Citrine, Tourmaline and Zircon may all resemble Chrysoberyl.
Colour palette: The most common Chrysoberyl colors are light yellow, a light greenish-yellow and a light brownish-yellow, along with light shades of brown and red.
Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl is a gemstone that exhibits chatoyancy which is a line of light which moves accross the surface of the stone. Although the term ‘cat's eye’ can be applied to other gemstones, the Chrysoberyl form is well-known.
More information about the Beryl: Not assigned as a Birthstone or a Wedding Anniversary gemstone, Chrysoberyl is, however, said to be a tone of discipline and self-control and often associated with money and wealth.
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