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, 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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