varies
considerably in different countries ; thus in Brazil it is esteemed the
most valuable of the coloured gems. In Russia again the Alexandrite is
in great demand. Chryso-beryl is, perhaps, the only coloured stone
which shows to the best advantage when cut as a brilliant; when the gem
is thick enough this form is adopted, but thin specimens may be cut in
gentle steps, or a mixed cut may be used ; it is usually mounted in a
closed setting. Cymophane and Cat's Eye are cut en cahochon with
a well-marked curvature. In cutting the Alexandrite due thought must be
given to the colours as they will appear in different directions. The
finest Cat's Eye known was in the collection of Mr. H. P. Hope, to
which collection the famous Blue Hope Diamond belonged. Alexandrites
have been found up to 60 carats.
Chrysoberyl
can be distinguished from Chrysolite (or Peridot) by the greater
hardness and rather higher specific gravity of the Chrysoberyl. The
chatoyant variety is disÂtinguished from the Cat's Eye variety of
Quartz most easily by the much lower specific gravity of the Quartz.
