Chrysoberyl

Chrysoberyl

Chrysoberyl is not one of the best known gemstones. Its rarest variety alexandrite, however, is quite well known, although the number of people who have heard of alexandrite is probably 100 times greater than the number who have ever seen one, and 1,000 times greater than the number who have ever owned one.Chrysoberyl is composed of Beryllium Aluminium Oxide, is harder than topaz, and includes a variety known as cat's eye, in addition to alexandrite which we have already mentioned.

Colour

Most chrysoberyl is green or yellow-green, but some is brown. The rare alexandrite shows a colour change from green to red, and cat's eye has a strongly banded appearance which is well described by its name, and is also usually green or yellow-green.