- Varieties of Chrysoberyl
- Formation & Sources of Chrysoberyl
- Chrysoberyl Jewelry
- Physical & Optical Properties of Chrysoberyl
- Test and Identification of Chrysoberyl
- Buying Tips for Chrysoberyl
Cat's-eyes are always cut in cabochon, with the rare exception of the carved stones. Transparent material is usually faceted, either in the brilliant, step or mixed style. As explained in Importance of Cutting in Gemstones, proper proportions have a material effect on the value of cat's-eye: furthermore, it is important that fibrous material be oriented so that the hair like inclusions are at right angles to the length of the cabochon and in planes parallel to the girdle. Alexandrite must be oriented in a direction that makes both the red and green pair of the trichroic colors visible through the table; otherwise, it will exhibit too little change to merit the name alexandrite.
Cabochon material may be ground in the usual manner, using carborundum wheels and regular sanders for the preliminary operations. A wood tap with 1200-grit diamond dust is used for finer sanding, and polishing is accomplished with 6400-grit diamond dust on a wood wheel.
Transparent material is ground in the usual manner, using s diamond-impregnated laps. Polishing is accomplished on a tin lap, with Linde A power as the polishing agent; an alternate method is to use 6400-grit diamond dust on a tine or type-metal lap. Suggested angles are 37°for the crown and 42° for the pavilion.
