The facts
What cat’s eye chrysoberyl actually is
Mineralogically, cat’s eye chrysoberyl is chrysoberyl — BeAl₂O₄, crystallising in the orthorhombic system.
The colour is caused by iron; the eye comes from parallel silk. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.745–1.759, and the specific gravity sits near 3.70–3.78; cleavage is distinct, one direction.
Where cat’s eye chrysoberyl comes from
The recognised sources are Sri Lanka, Brazil, India and Tanzania.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
Is cat’s eye chrysoberyl treated?
None normally.
Nothing needs disclosing, and nothing about the stone can change after you buy it. If a price looks impossible, the risk is substitution rather than treatment.
What cat’s eye chrysoberyl is confused with
The usual confusions are Cat’s eye quartz, Cat’s eye apatite and Fibre-optic glass.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.745–1.759 and specific gravity 3.70–3.78 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What cat’s eye chrysoberyl is used for
Cat’s eye chrysoberyl is bought by jewellery and mineral collecting — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Cat’s eye chrysoberyl is 8.5 on the Mohs scale, with distinct, one direction cleavage.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What cat’s eye chrysoberyl costs
Indicative pricing for cat’s eye chrysoberyl is $200–10,000/ct.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is cat’s eye chrysoberyl treated?
None normally.
Where does cat’s eye chrysoberyl come from?
Sri Lanka, Brazil, India and Tanzania. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is cat’s eye chrysoberyl hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 8.5 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does cat’s eye chrysoberyl cost?
Indicatively $200–10,000/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is cat’s eye chrysoberyl confused with?
Most often Cat’s eye quartz, Cat’s eye apatite and Fibre-optic glass. A refractive index of 1.745–1.759 and a specific gravity near 3.70–3.78 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for cat’s eye chrysoberyl?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about cat’s eye chrysoberyl