1.35 Ct. Greenish Yellow Cabochon Chrysoberyl from Tanzania

This piece is a translucent 1.35 carat oval chrysoberyl, with precise dimensions of 6.64 x 5.53 x 4.16 millimeters, presented in a classic cabochon profile. The cut is a smooth domed cabochon, executed to an oval outline that preserves even thickness across the girdle, yielding balanced light transmission and a pleasing tactile symmetry. Color is a greenish yellow with medium intensity, calibrated to reveal both green and yellow components under neutral daylight and artificial warm light, and the polish is graded excellent, providing a high gloss finish across the dome that accentuates surface luster and internal glow. Clarity is described as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, indicating that the stone reads essentially clean to the unaided eye with only minor internal features that do not distract from the overall visual effect. There is no enhancement to report, the material is natural chrysoberyl sourced from Tanzania, and all measurements and grading are provided to support accurate setting and design planning.

From a gemological perspective chrysoberyl is notable for its high refractive index, robust hardness, and stable chemical composition, qualities that inform both its performance in jewelry and the lapidary approach to shaping it. Typical refractive index values for chrysoberyl fall in the range of 1.746 to 1.755, yielding noticeable brilliance for faceted examples and a defined internal sheen for cabochons. The hardness of chrysoberyl is approximately 8.5 on the Mohs scale, lending excellent wear resistance for daily jewelry use, while the specific gravity near 3.73 to 3.78 explains the perceptible heft relative to many common gemstones of similar size. Pleochroism in chrysoberyl is often weak to moderate, however in cabochon material color zoning and internal orientation can influence how the greenish yellow bodycolor reads from different angles. The medium color intensity of this example was selected by the cutter to optimize both translucency and bodycolor saturation, preserving the stone volume while delivering consistent optical appeal.

The cabochon craftsmanship on this piece reflects conscious lapidary choices made to maximize translucency, polish, and directional light response. The dome height was calibrated to provide a continuous curved surface that enables soft scattering of light through the body of the stone, while the oval outline was cut with symmetrical radii to maintain visual equilibrium when set. The cutting workflow for a chrysoberyl cabochon of this size typically includes preform shaping to exact millimeter proportions, progressive sanding through finer laps to remove microstriations, and final polishing with cerium oxide or analogous agents to achieve the excellent polish observed. Careful attention to the stone axis was necessary during cutting to align any internal structure in a way that produces a focused linear highlight under directional illumination, without creating off center concentration of color or a misshapen silhouette. The girdle was left with modest thickness to support a secure bezel seat if desired, and the total depth of 4.16 millimeters preserves a good amount of material for stability while enabling a comfortable profile for rings, pendants, or earrings.

In terms of setting and everyday versatility this greenish yellow chrysoberyl is exceptionally adaptable, moving easily from casual daytime pieces to refined evening jewelry. For rings a low to medium bezel setting will protect the cabochon edge and complement the smooth dome, while an open back or gallery window can be incorporated to enhance light entry and accentuate translucency. Prong settings are also possible for designs that favor minimal metal, however secure seat design and careful prong placement are required to avoid point stress on the rounded girdle. For pendants and earrings the stone responds well to both polished high shine metal and matte finished bezels, with yellow gold enhancing the warm yellow component and cool white metals providing contrast that emphasizes the green facet of the tone. The combination of medium color intensity and eye level very slight inclusions makes the gem an excellent candidate for mixed metal work, bespoke artisan settings, and heirloom pieces that will be worn regularly. At The Natural Gemstone Company we present this cabochon with full disclosure of its characteristics, including origin, weight, dimensions, clarity, polish, and absence of enhancement, so designers and collectors can make informed decisions based on technical parameters and aesthetic potential. For clients seeking a durable, visually engaging gem that bridges everyday wearability and formal sophistication this Tanzanian chrysoberyl offers a compelling balance of optical character and structural resilience.