On the day that the Emperor Alexander of Russia attained his majority
the Ural chrysoberyl, of a dark-green color, was found in the emerald
mines of Takowaja in the Catherine Mountains.
This wonderful stone is emerald-green to dark-green in color, with
often a slight red tint, but by artificial light the green of good
specimens changes to a beautiful columbine-red.
As the colors green and red are the national colors of Russia, and the
date of discovery of this stone in Russia occurred on the Emperor’s
birthday, the name alexandrite was given to this species of chrysoberyl.
The alexandrite is found in large pieces, but is nearly always flawed
and cracked. This is a much-sought-after gem stone, and specimens of
from one to five carats command good prices. Up to the present time,
however, good alexandrites have been rare, and the demand has always
exceeded the supply.
Cat’s-eyes and cymophanes are found in Brazil in alluvial deposits of
rivers, and consequently in rolled and rubbed masses.
Chrysoberyls are also found in Russia, Germany, America, Borneo, Pegu,
and Moravia.
Chrysolites and topazes are sometimes passed off for chrysoberyls. The
chrysolite is, however, lighter and softer, while the topaz becomes
electric from heating, and is softer.
Quartz cat’s-eyes, which are mistaken for chrysoberyl or Oriental
cat’s-eyes, have a specific gravity of about 2.65, hardness of 6 to
6.5, and are soluble in fluoric acid, besides melting with soda into a
clear glass.
They lack the bright, hard polish of the chrysoberyl cat’s-eye, and
there should be no difficulty in discovering the difference between the
gem and the inferior stone.