1.03 Ct. White Opal from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

From the riverbeds of Ceylon to the quiet bench of a master cutter, this yellowish green chrysoberyl carries a story that begins in the humid heart of Sri Lanka, where ancient geological forces concentrated beryllium rich minerals into pockets and alluvial gravels. Miners working by hand followed the whisper of colors through rounded pebbles and clay to reveal occasional crystals that spoke of age and pressure, and this particular crystal was singled out for its clean transparency and warm green tone. The journey from rough to gem involved careful selection, because chrysoberyl is a stone that rewards patience, with a hardness and stability that has allowed such gems to survive the tests of time and human hands. As custodians of such pieces at The Natural Gemstone Company, we value the provenance of each item, and we like to narrate how the sunlight that first touched this rough on a rainy day in Ceylon now seems to live inside the finished gem, reflecting a slice of tropical sky and the island earth that nurtured it.

Examined under the loupe and at the naked eye, this stone measures 8.54 x 4.96 x 3.49 mm, weighs 1.03 carat, and has been fashioned into a graceful pear shape with a mixed brilliant cut, a choice that balances fire and face up color. It is transparent, with a clarity grade recorded as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, meaning you will enjoy a gem that reads clean and lively in everyday settings, while the natural inclusions attest to its authenticity. The color presents as yellowish green with medium intensity, a tone that sits between the zesty brightness of a fine peridot and the deeper, rarer greens found in historic emeralds. The polish is excellent, which gives each facet a glassy mirror that maximizes light return and scintillation. There has been no enhancement, so the hue and clarity you see are natural, unaltered qualities coming straight from Ceylon, and such unheated, untreated chrysoberyl pieces are increasingly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs who prize geological honesty in a gem.

When a skilled cutter sat with the rough, the decision to create a pear shape with a mixed brilliant faceting pattern was deliberate, designed to emphasize the gemology of chrysoberyl. The brio of the mixed brilliant facets creates lively flecks of white light, while the elongated silhouette of the pear allows the yellowish green color to gradate from deeper tones near the base to lighter, more luminous notes toward the tip. In jewelry this shape becomes a statement that is at once classic and modern, flattering when set as a solitaire in a pendant, elegant on a bypass ring, or as the focal point of a bespoke earring design. For those who enjoy combining textures and colors, this chrysoberyl partners beautifully with white opal, particularly the White Opal type, where a soft milky background and muted play of color can set off the green spark of the chrysoberyl without overpowering it. At The Natural Gemstone Company we often recommend such combinations to clients who want contrast that still feels harmonious, and we are happy to advise on settings and metal choices that will best showcase the gem.

Historically and culturally, chrysoberyl sits in an interesting place among famous gems, sometimes overshadowed by the great sapphires of Ceylon and the legendary diamonds that shaped empires, yet rewarded for its own unique virtues. Compare this yellowish green piece to celebrated stones like the Dresden Green in the sense that both carry an uncommon green that reads as dignified and rare, yet chrysoberyl brings a hardness and light play more akin to the storied durability of the Kohinoor in terms of resilience, although on a more modest scale. Within the chrysoberyl family, the alexandrite variety has long been prized for its dramatic color change, and while this gem does not exhibit that phenomenon, it shares the same chemical backbone and the same historical esteem that gemstone lovers have afforded to chrysoberyl through the centuries. Collectors often appreciate stones like this for their balance of beauty and practicality, a gem that can be worn daily without excessive worry, an heirloom that tells of place, of craft, and of time. If you would like to explore how this 1.03 carat pear shaped yellowish green chrysoberyl might become the next chapter in your jewelry story, The Natural Gemstone Company stands ready to assist, to provide additional images and certificates, and to guide you toward a setting that honors both the gem and your personal style.