Difference between revisions of "Chrysoberyl"

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{{chrysoberyl}}
 
{{chrysoberyl}}
Chrysoberyl is a beryllium aluminum oxide, not at all related to the mineral [[beryl]], which is a [[silicate]]. The most valuable varieties of chrysoberyl are [[alexandrite]], and cat's eye. Cat's eye was long admired in the orient for its chatoyant character, but it wasn't popular in the West until the late 1800's. The third and most common variey of chrysoberyl is a transparent greenish yellow stone. It was very popular in Victorian and Edwardian jewelry. Cat's eye is believed to protect one from evil spirits or the evil eye. According to the Hindus, the stone would preserve your health and guard against poverty. In Asia it was thought that if you pressed a cat's eye between your own eyes it would enhance your foresight.
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Chrysoberyl is a beryllium aluminum oxide, not at all related to the mineral [[beryl]], which is a [[silicate]]. Chrysoberyl can occur in various shades of green, yellow, brown, red, and occasionally blue. The most valuable varieties of chrysoberyl are [[Alexandrite]], and [[cat's eye]]. Cat's eye was long admired in the orient for its [[chatoyancy|chatoyant]] character, but it wasn't popular in the West until the late 1800's. The third and most common variety of chrysoberyl is a transparent greenish yellow stone. It was very popular in Victorian and Edwardian jewelry. Cat's eye is believed to protect one from evil spirits or the evil eye. According to the Hindus, the stone would preserve your health and guard against poverty. In Asia it was thought that if you pressed a cat's eye between your own eyes it would enhance your foresight.

Revision as of 16:29, 28 November 2006

Chrysoberyl
Chemical composition BeAl2O4
Crystal system Orthorombic
Habit Pseudo-hexagonal twins
Cleavage Weak to moderate
Fracture Conchoidal to uneven
Hardness 8.5
Optic nature Biaxial +
Refractive index 1.74-1.75
Birefringence 0.009
Dispersion Low, 0.014
Specific gravity 3.72
Lustre Bright vitreous
Pleochroism Moderate to strong

Chrysoberyl is a beryllium aluminum oxide, not at all related to the mineral beryl, which is a silicate. Chrysoberyl can occur in various shades of green, yellow, brown, red, and occasionally blue. The most valuable varieties of chrysoberyl are Alexandrite, and cat's eye. Cat's eye was long admired in the orient for its chatoyant character, but it wasn't popular in the West until the late 1800's. The third and most common variety of chrysoberyl is a transparent greenish yellow stone. It was very popular in Victorian and Edwardian jewelry. Cat's eye is believed to protect one from evil spirits or the evil eye. According to the Hindus, the stone would preserve your health and guard against poverty. In Asia it was thought that if you pressed a cat's eye between your own eyes it would enhance your foresight.