The Chrysoberyl family is best known for the more valuable Alexandrite and cats-eye varieties. Faceted Chrysoberyl is a beautiful gem which is not as well known it is a very tough stone with a hardness of 8.5, it takes a fine polish and has a good luster. It is most often found in Yellow, browns, greens and honey gold Chrysoberyl.
Cat's-eye Chrysoberyl, a cousin of color-changing alexandrite, is a variety of Chrysoberyl which has a distinct band of light across its face which sweeps from side to side. The color ranges from a honey-brown to an apple green with rich gold colors generally the most valued. The most important value factor is the strength and sharpness of the eye. Fine cat's-eye Chrysoberyl often also shows the "milk and honey" effect. When a bright light source is directed at the side of the stone, one side of the eye will be milky white and the other remains gold. When the stone is rotated, the colors switch. Cat's-eyes are especially popular in men's jewelry.
The rare, costly variety, known as Alexandrite, exhibits different colors in natural and artificial light. If viewed in sunlight, its color is yellow-green to greenish-blue. If viewed in artificial incandescent light it appears a violet-red. Alexandrite was discovered on the birthday of the Russian Czar Alexander II, and was named in his honor.
These rare and valuable Cat's eye Chrysoberyl , Alexandrite Chrysoberyl as well as Vanadium Chrysoberyl which
gets it's special color from trace elements of Vanadium found in the stone. These are all hard tough gemstones, 8.5 on the Mohs scale and will make up into fine collectable jewelry.