2.35 Ct. Chrysoberyl from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This cushion shape yellow chrysoberyl, weighing 2.35 carats, measures 8.69 by 6.59 by 4.92 millimeters, and carries a mixed brilliant cut that was executed to exploit the gem type high refractive index and modest birefringence. The cutter retained a slightly deeper pavilion to achieve optimal internal reflection for chrysoberyl refractive indices that commonly range near 1.745 to 1.755, and this results in a depth of approximately sixty four point four percent relative to the mean of length and width. The crown displays a precision of brilliant style facet junctions that maximize scintillation and fire, while the pavilion is modified to reduce windows and maintain even light return across the table. The polish is excellent, which preserves the high surface reflectivity expected from a cleanly finished chrysoberyl, and the clarity is described as very slightly included at eye level, meaning inclusions are minimal and do not interrupt transparency or the stone optical performance under normal viewing conditions. The color sits at medium intensity, a measured yellow hue consistent with iron related chromophores in chrysoberyl, delivering both saturation and daylight presence without appearing overly dark under common lighting environments.

The geological narrative of this stone begins millions of years ago deep within the Sri Lankan bedrock where beryllium and aluminum were mobilized in late stage magmatic and metamorphic fluids. In high grade metamorphic terranes and in pegmatitic pockets, slow cooling permitted BeAl2O4 to crystallize as chrysoberyl, with trace iron incorporated into the crystal lattice producing the yellow color we observe today. Over geological time, tectonic uplift and weathering liberated crystals from their primary hosts, concentrating them in ancient alluvial gravels that have long supplied gem quality material to collectors and cutters. Hydraulic action sorted and abraded the crystals, selecting those with robust hardness and resistance to weathering, so that by the time this particular crystal was recovered in Ceylon Sri Lanka it already exhibited tight crystalline habit and notable clarity. The cutter then assessed crystallographic orientation to minimize birefringent interference and to favor optical alignment that enhances brilliance, orienting the table and pavilion to the optic axis so that pleochroism if present would be sympathetically balanced across the viewing planes.

At the physical and gemological level this specimen is an exemplary working example of natural chrysoberyl, combining a weight of 2.35 carats with transparency and a restrained inclusion profile that suits high quality jewelry settings. Its specific gravity near 3.72 and hardness of approximately eight point five on the Mohs scale make it durable for prong or bezel mounting, while the mixed brilliant architecture preserves scintillation in finger wear. There are no enhancements, and The Natural Gemstone Company affirms origin as Ceylon, Sri Lanka, providing provenance for those who value locality in addition to cut and clarity. For designers seeking a stone that balances technical performance with classical appeal, the cushion proportions and excellent polish translate into predictable optical behavior when set under typical lighting, and the medium yellow tone pairs well with both warm and neutral metal choices. This gem was cut with an awareness of chrysoberyl critical angle and light management, resulting in a piece that demonstrates how millions of years of geological processes, combined with considered lapidary craft, produce a stone that is technically refined, visually engaging, and suitable for a lifetime of wear.