2.09 Ct. Cabochon Chrysoberyl from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

From the riverbeds of Ceylon a gentle story begins, where monsoon waters and ancient granite meet to release crystals that have lived for millions of years below the surface, pebbles and pockets yielding their treasures to hands that know how to read the land. Local miners working small scale operations follow generations of knowledge, sensing where the earth has hidden its colors, washing and sorting gravels until a promising translucence catches the light. It was in such settings that this single piece of chrysoberyl first revealed itself, a round greenish yellow form that carries the quiet geography of Sri Lanka in its tone. The gem arrived at our workshop with provenance that matters to collectors and makers, labeled simply and proudly as coming from Ceylon, an island whose soils have long given the world some of its most cherished chrysoberyls, stones admired by kings and jewelers through the ages.

The material itself tells a slow and patient tale, formed under heat and pressure and enriched by trace elements that give chrysoberyl its distinctive hue, a greenish yellow that reads as both fresh and refined. This specimen is a translucent 2.09 carat round, carefully measured at 6.62 by 6.57 by 5.07 millimeters, its proportions offering a pleasing balance between weight and presence. The cutter chose a cabochon shape to honor the internal structure, to welcome a silky band that moves when you tilt the stone, and to present a soft, glowing dome that emphasizes the medium intense color intensity. At eye level the clarity is eye clean, a valuable grade for a gem of this type, meaning the surface and interior appear free of inclusions to the unaided eye, which allows the gentle color and the band to read with serenity and purity. No enhancements were applied, the gem remaining wholly natural, its polish executed to an excellent standard so that light sweeps across the dome with a satiny sheen.

Transforming a rough gem into a finished cabochon is a conversation between the stone and the cutter, an exchange that balances preservation of carat weight with the revelation of visual character. For this chrysoberyl the decision was to retain a round form that maximizes the chatoyant line, a single luminous eye that can be coaxed into a perfect horizontal band when the piece is viewed under direct light. The cutting process began with careful preforming, following natural lines and color zoning, then progressing through a sequence of grits that shapes the dome while keeping as much of the original mass as possible. The polishing stage is where the character is set, where a lapsing rhythm of abrasive and felt brings out the stone glassy finish, producing the excellent polish you can admire on the surface. Each turn on the wheel is guided by the desire to respect the material, to allow its greenish yellow tone to read accurately, and to preserve the transparency that grants it a luminous depth.

Beyond its physical qualities this chrysoberyl carries cultural echoes and practical possibilities, a gem that can anchor a design as an intimate signet, a pendant haloed in a warm gold setting, or a refined statement in white metal that lets the color sing. Chrysoberyl has long been associated with stability and good fortune in many traditions, and your piece comes from Ceylon, a source associated with history and quality in the gem world. The combination of eye clean clarity and medium intense color creates a versatility that makes the stone suitable for both classic and contemporary settings, and the cabochon cut with its gentle dome and chatoyant band invites contemplation, drawing the eye in a way that faceted stones accomplish through flash, while this one offers a continuous, calming glow. For designers and collectors alike the dimensions of 6.62 by 6.57 by 5.07 millimeters and the weight of 2.09 carats provide a substantial presence without overwhelming a piece, allowing creative freedom in placement and mounting.

At The Natural Gemstone Company we present this chrysoberyl as a natural, unenhanced treasure, a finished cabochon that holds the story of rivers and rocks, of patient hands, and of careful cutting. We document the origin and the details so that you can make an informed choice, and we welcome inquiries about settings and pairing suggestions that will honor the gem. Owning this stone means carrying a small piece of Sri Lankan earth and artisan care with you, a companion that shifts its soft greenish yellow light with your movements, that remains eye clean and finely polished, and that is free from treatments that would alter its natural state. If you are a jeweler looking for a centerpiece or a collector seeking a distinctive chrysoberyl, this cabochon offers a rare harmony of color, clarity, and finish, ready to be set and to begin a new chapter as part of your story.