Antique Genuine Natural Siberian One and One-Half Carat Lime Green Chrysoberyl (Alexandrite) Cats Eye.

CLASSIFICATION: Cabochon Green Chrysoberyl Oval.

ORIGIN: The Ural Mountains, Siberia. 19th Century.

SIZE:  Length:  6 1/2mm.  Width:  6mm.  Depth:  4mm.  All measurements approximate.

WEIGHT:  1.46 carats.

NOTES: Upon request we can set your gemstones as a ring, pendant, or as earrings (click here for more information).

DETAIL: Ancient European and Mediterranean cultures believed cat’s-eye gemstones able to provide protection against the adverse influences of the "evil eye". There was an ancient belief that some evil sorcerers or witches had the ability to transmit evil with just the glance of an eye. Certain items of adornment such as this cat’s-eye gemstone were thought to protect the wearer from the "evil eye" by the proviso of always watchful open eyes. Cat’s-eye gemstones in particular were believed to be very powerful. Here's a gorgeous, richly colored natural green chrysoberyl "cats eye" semi-precious gemstone from the Ural Mountains of Siberia. Closely related to alexandrite (which is also a form of chrysoberyl), this gorgeous and much sought after semi-gemstone was hand shaped and polished into this very beautiful oval cabochon. The result is an exquisite and incredibly richly colored precious gemstone with lots of depth and gorgeous tone. The "eye" is very sharply defined, razor sharp, and the color is a very bright pastel lime green with distinct citrus undertones, and which truly looks like a feline eye. Green chrysoberyl cats eye was considered for over a century the very best chrysoberyl in the world, but in the past few decades it has become mostly played out. This is a very nice specimen representative of better quality green chrysoberyl. Though it does not change color from green to pink or purple like an alexandrite catseye, the green color and the sharpness of the eye are of the same exquisite quality.

Good quality green cats eye semi-precious gemstones are in high demand, and can be quite costly. In fact, at retail green cats eye chrysoberyl generally costs more than alexandrite cats eye - the main principal differences are less (or no) color change but generally higher quality; chrysoberyl compared to alexandrite. The Southern Ural Mountains of Russia have been producing high value, naturally colored green and honey colored chrysoberyl cats eye for well over a century. Under magnification the gemstone shows the unmistakable characteristics of having been hand crafted. The coarseness of the 19th century finish is considered appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered a detriment, or detract from the value of a gemstone. In fact most serious collectors consider such gemstones more desirable, possessed of greater character and uniqueness when compared to today's cookie-cutter mass-produced machine-tumbled gemstones. Unlike today's computer controlled machine produced gemstones, the cut and finish of a gemstone such as this is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago.

This gemstone has great luster, and to the eye is essentially without blemish, but it is not flawless. As you can see in the accompanying 500% photo enlargements, there are a number of seams of colorless crystalline material running through the gemstone. Of course it is the alignment of colorless crystals within the gemstone which creates the cat's-eye effect, so it is not unusual to find more prominent crystalline features within the gemstone; and this gemstone, like most chrysoberyl, does display visible colorless crystalline material. However to the cursory inspection of the casual admirer, the gemstone does appear without discernible blemish. And of course if inspected intently, one can see these very slight imperfections within the gemstone, as well as occasional irregularities in the cut and finish. But these characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, you must also consider that two centuries ago the mining techniques even theoretically possible, let alone commonly practiced, did not allow the ultra deep mining operations which are so commonplace today.

Two centuries ago mankind was more or less limited to surface deposits or near surface deposits of gemstones. Higher quality gemstones which today are routinely mined from beneath hundreds of meters, even kilometers beneath the earth's surface, were simply inaccessible then. So antique gemstones must be appreciated as antiques first, gemstones second. The relatively superlative quality of contemporary gemstones routinely mined from deep beneath the earth's surface today were simply not accessible two centuries ago, or at least, only rarely so. However for most, the unique nature and character of antique gemstones such as this more than makes up for minute blemishes which by and large, are only visible under high magnification.

HISTORY: Cat's eye (and tiger's eye) gemstones are a form of quartz, one of mankind's most ancient gemstones. Rock crystal, the clear form of quartz, was used in ancient times to make crystal balls and bowls. Since ancient times colorless quartz crystals have always been popular in jewelry due to mystical legends concerning the "power" of quartz crystals. Quartz crystals exhibit a property called the piezoelectric effect; they produce an electric voltage. This was noticed by ancient cultures, and consequentially since ancient times many mystical properties have been attributed to quartz crystals of various varieties.

Cat's-eye chrysoberyl, a close cousin of color-changing alexandrite, is a variety of chrysoberyl which has a distinct band of light across its face which sweeps from side to side. Known as a chatoyancy, since ancient times man recognized how closely this attribute resembled the feline eye. Ancient European and Mediterranean cultures believed it to provide protection against the adverse influences of the "evil eye". The color ranges from a honey-yellow to yellow-green to an apple green to brown. Generally the yellow and green specimens are considered the most valued, the least valued being the brown. However whatever the color, the most important value factor is the strength and sharpness of the eye. Though the largest deposits of this gemstone are in South Africa, with smaller deposits in Australia, Burma, and India; the most valued deposits, almost exhausted, are those from the Ural Mountains in Russia. The gemstone was a very important trade good in ancient India, and was exported to and found enormous popularity in many Asian cultures.

SHIPPING & RETURNS/REFUNDS: Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment. We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers. All of our shipments are fully insured against loss, and our shipping rates include the cost of this coverage (through stamps.com, Shipsaver.com, the USPS, UPS, or Fed-Ex). International tracking is provided free by the USPS for certain countries, other countries are at additional cost. ADDITIONAL PURCHASES do receive a VERY LARGE discount, typically about $5 per item so as to reward you for the economies of combined shipping/insurance costs. We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. We will accept whatever payment method you are most comfortable with.

Please note for international purchasers we will do everything we can to minimize your liability for VAT and/or duties. But we cannot assume any responsibility or liability for whatever taxes or duties may be levied on your purchase by the country of your residence. If you don’t like the tax and duty schemes your government imposes, please complain to them. We have no ability to influence or moderate your country’s tax/duty schemes. If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked 30-day return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price; 1) less our original shipping/insurance costs, 2) less any non-refundable eBay fees. Please note that though they generally do, eBay may not always refund payment processing fees on returns beyond a 30-day purchase window. So except for shipping costs and any payment processing fees not refunded by eBay, we will refund all proceeds from the sale of a return item. Obviously we have no ability to influence, modify or waive eBay policies.

ABOUT US: Prior to our retirement we used to travel to Eastern Europe and Central Asia several times a year seeking antique gemstones and jewelry from the globe’s most prolific gemstone producing and cutting centers. Most of the items we offer came from acquisitions we made in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) during these years from various institutions and dealers. Much of what we generate on Etsy, Amazon and Ebay goes to support worthy institutions in Europe and Asia connected with Anthropology and Archaeology. Though we have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, our primary interests are ancient/antique jewelry and gemstones, a reflection of our academic backgrounds.

Though perhaps difficult to find in the USA, in Eastern Europe and Central Asia antique gemstones are commonly dismounted from old, broken settings – the gold reused – the gemstones recut and reset. Before these gorgeous antique gemstones are recut, we try to acquire the best of them in their original, antique, hand-finished state – most of them originally crafted a century or more ago. We believe that the work created by these long-gone master artisans is worth protecting and preserving rather than destroying this heritage of antique gemstones by recutting the original work out of existence. That by preserving their work, in a sense, we are preserving their lives and the legacy they left for modern times. Far better to appreciate their craft than to destroy it with modern cutting.

Not everyone agrees – fully 95% or more of the antique gemstones which come into these marketplaces are recut, and the heritage of the past lost. But if you agree with us that the past is worth protecting, and that past lives and the produce of those lives still matters today, consider buying an antique, hand cut, natural gemstone rather than one of the mass-produced machine cut (often synthetic or “lab produced”) gemstones which dominate the market today. We can set most any antique gemstone you purchase from us in your choice of styles and metals ranging from rings to pendants to earrings and bracelets; in sterling silver, 14kt solid gold, and 14kt gold fill. When you purchase from us, you can count on quick shipping and careful, secure packaging. We would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from us. There is a $3 fee for mailing under separate cover. I will always respond to every inquiry whether via email or eBay message, so please feel free to write.