Cat's eye chrysoberyl is prized for its exceptional chatoyancy, a sharp, white band of light that moves across the gem when rotated. It owes this optical phenomenon to dense, needle-like inclusions of rutile aligned parallel to the c-axis of the crystal. Collectors look for a distinct, centered 'milk and honey' effect where the gem is split between a light and dark side.
Is this cat's eye chrysoberyl?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch cat's eye chrysoberyl with a known reference. Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl sits at Mohs 8.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, greenish-yellow, brownish-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl is noticeably harder (Mohs 8.5 vs. 7).
How to tell apart: Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl is noticeably harder (Mohs 8.5 vs. 6.5-7.5).
How to tell apart: Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl is noticeably harder (Mohs 8.5 vs. 5).
Often found alongside cat's eye chrysoberyl
Minerals reported to co-occur with cat's eye chrysoberyl. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- BeAl₂O₄
- Mohs hardness
- 8.5
- Density
- 3.70-3.78 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {110}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Gemstone, Collector
- Host rock
- Pegmatites and Alluvial Deposits
- Typical price
- $200-2000+ per carat depending on sharpness of eye and body color
Where rockhounds find cat's eye chrysoberyl
Classic worldwide localities
- Sri Lanka
- Brazil
- India
- Zimbabwe
Field-hunting tip
Look in pegmatites and alluvial deposits country — that is the host setting where cat's eye chrysoberyl typically forms. If you start seeing beryl, tourmaline, garnet in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify cat's eye chrysoberyl?+
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Find cat's eye chrysoberyl on the map
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