All About Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye Jewelry

Remember the Cat's Eye gemstone? This stone was very popular at one point and it is regaining popularity again. Cat's eye jewelry has been popular for hundreds of years and today you can find man-made cat's eye gemstones or even better, the real gems made by Mother Nature. One of our favorites and the most famous is the Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye which is a member of the beryl family of gemstones. Translucent yellowish Chatoyant Chrysoberyl is called cymophane or cat's eye. Cymophane has its derivation also from the Greek words meaning 'wave' and 'appearance', in reference to the Chatoyancy 'cat's eye' exhibited.

The Cat's Eye is classified as a rare and exotic gemstone and prized by those who can find it and afford it. The color range of this stone is found in a beautiful array of yellow, golden, brownish root beer and some reddish colors. This is a durable hard stone coming in at 8.5 on the Mohs scale, right behind the ruby and the sapphire.

To wear this lovely stones, look for beaded Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye necklaces, bracelets, small round stud earrings or as a single stone set in a pendant (hanging from a nice neck chain). You can also find it cut as a cabochon and set into a beautiful ring setting or in a button style earring setting.

Just like all semi-precious gemstones it does need to be handled with some care. When it comes to cleaning your gems you want to use a damp cloth to wipe down your jewelry pieces. Never submerge them in water or harsh chemicals. If your pieces get really dirty it is best to take them into a professional jewelry and have them cleaned.

When it comes to storing your beautiful pieces, a lined jewelry box is best. You should not store them by tossing them into drawers, paper boxes or bags. You should also not store other pieces of jewelry jumbled with them because they could damage the surface of your stones.

By caring for this lovely piece of the earth you will ensure that it can be passed down for many generations. This is a unique and beautiful stones that everyone can enjoy wearing.

by Jasmine Yesak, Contributing Editor at ChasingTreasure.com, online retailer of quality jewelry boxes, jewelry organizers and watch boxes. Jasmine is a Jewelry Enthusiast and Organization Consultant, she writes about Jewelry Care and Jewelry Storage Tips.