Chrysoberyl

Appearance:

Transparent golden yellow, green-yellow or brown.

Common variations...

Alexandrite, a much sort after stone, has the unusual quality of appearing green in daylight but red under artificial light (note that synthetic Corundum also exhibits a poorer version of this effect).

Chrysoberyl cat's eye (also known as cymophane) refers to the silver-white line that can sometimes be found included in the stone. If cut appropriately it can look very much like a genuine cat's eye! It can sometimes be confused with the similar-looking quartz cat's eye.

Common confusions......

Andalusite, brazilianite, golden beryl, hiddenite, peridot, sapphire, sinhalite, scapolite, spinel, topaz, tourmaline and zircon.

Esoteric beliefs and associations...

Associated with the Sun. Also, even in pale shades of yellow, it strengthens intellect, study and psychic skills (including divination). Stones containing strong traces of brown are often used for the healing of sick or injured animals.

Physical properties...

Chemistry	Beryllium aluminium oxide
System/Structure	Orthorhombic (long prismatic crystals, intergrown triplets)
Refractive Index	1.744 - 1.755
Specific Gravity	3.70 - 3.72
Mohs' Hardness	8.5