Chrysoberyl

Chrysoberyl is a gemstone primarily characterized by its yellow hue. With a high hardness of 8.5 and strong brilliance, it's a mineral that can be enjoyed both as jewelry and as loose stones.

When some of its elements are replaced by chromium, chrysoberyl gains a color-change effect and is called "alexandrite." Those containing vanadium are called "vanadium chrysoberyl," and those with inclusions that cause a cat's eye effect are called "chrysoberyl cat's eye."

At Gemtreejapan, we also handle silky chrysoberyl and parrot chrysoberyl.

Name: Chrysoberyl
Japanese Name: Kinrokuseki
Chemical Formula: BeAl₂O₄
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific Gravity: 3.68–3.78
Mohs Hardness: 8.5
Cleavage: Imperfect
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Refractive Index: Approximately 1.75–1.76
Birefringence: 0.008–0.010
Colors: (Yellow-green, green, brown, etc.)
Dispersion: 0.015