Chrysoberyl Cats Eye Antique Gem Ancient India China Roman 18thC Silk Route Gem

Description

Antique Genuine Natural Russian One Carat Lime Green Colored Chrysoberyl (Alexandrite) Cats Eye.
CLASSIFICATION:
Cabochon Green Chrysoberyl Oval.
ORIGIN:
The Ural Mountains, Russia. Late 18th Century.
SIZE
: Length: 6.5mm. Width: 5mm. Depth: 3mm. All measurements approximate.
WEIGHT
: 0.93 carat.
NOTES
: Upon request we can set your gemstones as a ring, pendant, or as earrings (click
here
for more information).
DETAIL:
Chrysoberyl gemstones (particularly cat’s-eye) were a very important trade good in ancient India. It was exported overland via the “Silk Route” to the Romans, Persians, and also found enormous popularity in many Asian cultures including ancient China. Known in the ancient Near East as far back as Old Testament times, chrysoberyl was a highly valued gemstone in the ancient world. The ancient Persians believed that chrysoberyl could render their warriors invisible on the battlefield, and the gemstone was also used in the ancient world to ward off the adverse influences of “the evil eye”, reflecting the ancient belief that some evil sorcerers or witches had the ability to transmit evil with just a glance. Historical accounts relate that chrysoberyl was treasured in Asia before the birth of Christ, and was quite well known in Rome no later than by the end of the First Century A.D.
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 by an 18th century Russian artisan, part of an heritage renown for the production of the elaborate gemstones and jewelry of the Czars of Medieval, Renaissance, and Victorian Russia. The result is an exquisite and incredibly richly colored semi-precious gemstone with lots of depth and gorgeous tone. Translucent it possesses a very rich and regal green hue with very distinct honey or amber undertones. The color is fabulous, somehow bringing to mind the rich green brocade fabrics of 1960’s era Chrysler luxury cars. It is a very beautiful gemstones and would make a wonderful ring. The gemstone possesses a luminescence much like a pearl or opal. It is an unusual and uncommon specimen. Siberian green chrysoberyl 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, the richness of the color are of the same exquisite quality. Good quality green chrysoberyl semi-precious gemstones are in high demand, and can be quite costly. In fact, at retail green chrysoberyl can cost as much as aquamarine or alexandrite. The principal differences between chrysoberyl and alexandrite are that chrysoberyl exhibits no color change but is generally of higher quality (less blemished). The Southern Ural Mountains of Russia have been producing high value, natural green and honey colored chrysoberyl for several centuries. Under magnification the gemstone shows the unmistakable characteristics of having been hand crafted.
As might be expected under magnification the gemstone shows the unmistakable, hallmark characteristics of having been hand crafted. The coarseness of the 18th century finish is considered desirable to most gemstone aficionados, and is not considered a detriment, or detract from the value of a gemstone. These characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, many believe that such antique hand-crafted gemstones possess much greater character and appeal than today's mass-produced, laser-cut gemstones. Unlike today’s computer controlled machine produced gemstones that approach flawlessness in a perfect finish, the cut and finish of an antique, handcrafted gemstone such as this is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago.
The gemstone has great luster and character, but that is not to imply that it is absolutely flawless. True, the blemishes it possesses are virtually invisible to the naked eye, and to the view of the casual admirer the gemstone is indeed seemingly without blemish. However in the accompanying photo enlargements you might be able to discern a few minute blemishes as well as occasional irregularities in the cut and finish. Naturally much the same may said about almost any natural gemstone. Most absolutely flawless gemstones will upon close examination be revealed to be synthetic. Of course absolutely unblemished, perfect gemstones are the realm of laboratory-produced synthetics, not Mother Nature. Furthermore these characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, you must also consider that two centuries ago the mining techniques even possible then, let alone in practice, did not allow the ultra deep mining operations which are so commonplace today.
Keep in mind 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. It is precisely for these reasons antique gemstone must be appreciated as antiques first, gemstones second. The relatively superlative quality of contemporary gemstones mined from deep beneath the earth's surface were simply not accessible two centuries ago, or at least, only rarely so. But for most, the unique nature and character of these antique gemstones more than makes up for the blemishes found within the gemstones, as well as the cutting and finishing irregularities common to handcrafted gemstones, all of which are by and large are only visible under magnification.
CHRYSOBERYL HISTORY:
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.
Domestic shipping (insured first class mail) is included in the price shown. Domestic shipping also
includes
USPS Delivery Confirmation (you might be able to update the status of your shipment on-line at the
USPS Web Site
). Canadian shipments are an extra .99 for Insured Air Mail; International shipments are an extra .99 for Air Mail (and generally are NOT tracked; trackable shipments are EXTRA).
ADDITIONAL PURCHASES
do receive a
VERY LARGE
discount, typically about per item so as to reward you for the economies of combined shipping/insurance costs. 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.
We do NOT recommend uninsured shipments, and expressly disclaim any responsibility for the loss of an uninsured shipment. Unfortunately the contents of parcels are easily “lost” or misdelivered by postal employees – even in the USA. If you intend to pay via PayPal, please be aware that PayPal Protection Policies REQUIRE insured, trackable shipments, which is INCLUDED in our price. International tracking is at additional cost. 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. If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price (less our original shipping costs).
We travel to Russia each year seeking antique gemstones and jewelry from one of the globe’s most prolific gemstone producing and cutting centers, the area between Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg, Russia. From all corners of Siberia, as well as from India, Ceylon, Burma and Siam, gemstones have for centuries gone to Yekaterinburg where they have been cut and incorporated into the fabulous jewelry for which the Czars and the royal families of Europe were famous for. My wife grew up and received a university education in the Southern Urals of Russia, just a few hours away from the mountains of Siberia, where alexandrite, diamond, emerald, sapphire, chrysoberyl, topaz, demantoid garnet, and many other rare and precious gemstones are produced. Though perhaps difficult to find in the USA, antique gemstones are commonly unmounted 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 centuries old. 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.
Our interest in the fabulous history of Russian gemstones and the fabulous jewelry of the Czar’s led to further education and contacts in India, Ceylon, and Siam, other ancient centers of gemstone production and finishing. We have a number of “helpers” (family members, friends, and colleagues) in Russia and in India who act as eyes and ears for us year-round, and in reciprocity we donate a portion of our revenues to support educational institutions in Russia and India. Occasionally while in Russia, India, Siam, and Ceylon we will also find such good buys on unique contemporary gemstones and jewelry that we will purchase a few pieces to offer to our customers here in America. These are always offered clearly labeled as contemporary, and not antiques – just to avoid confusion. 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 me. There is a fee for mailing under separate cover. Please see our
"ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE."