Cat''s eye--chrysoberyl?

[glitterata]

Thank you all for sharing my excitement about my little mystery! It''s now in the hands of Harriet, who has access to a refractometer, so with any luck we''ll know soon whether it''s in the chrysoberyl family, at least.

My current guess is that it''s a color-shift chrysoberyl rather than an alex. The color change/shift is really pretty subtle. It may just have to go visit Rich so I can know for sure.

Chrono, was it hard to find your cat''s eye alex?

Rich, you wrote: "There are chrysoberyls (which are not alexandrites) that have different perceived appearances under fluorescent and incandescent lighting. This is a color "shift" due to the lighting rather than a true color change." Can you explain the difference between a color shift due to lighting and a true color change? Is it just a matter of degree, or is there something else going on with the physics? I thought the color change of alexandrite WAS due to lighting. Did I misunderstand?

 

[chrono]

Not particularly, unless I was just lucky that Brad of the GemTrader happened to have several I could choose from.

 

[T L]

Date: 10/20/2009 6:16:08 PM
Author: glitterata
Thank you all for sharing my excitement about my little mystery! It''s now in the hands of Harriet, who has access to a refractometer, so with any luck we''ll know soon whether it''s in the chrysoberyl family, at least.

My current guess is that it''s a color-shift chrysoberyl rather than an alex. The color change/shift is really pretty subtle. It may just have to go visit Rich so I can know for sure.

Chrono, was it hard to find your cat''s eye alex?

Rich, you wrote: ''There are chrysoberyls (which are not alexandrites) that have different perceived appearances under fluorescent and incandescent lighting. This is a color ''shift'' due to the lighting rather than a true color change.'' Can you explain the difference between a color shift due to lighting and a true color change? Is it just a matter of degree, or is there something else going on with the physics? I thought the color change of alexandrite WAS due to lighting. Did I misunderstand?

I think color shift chrysoberyls go from brown to yellow. Alexandrite goes from green to purple, or some reddish color. Someone correct me if I''m wrong.

 

[Stone Hunter]

A very interesting mystery. If you lack sun in England you could visit us in Florida. Today it was about 80 and very sunny. But I hope your friend is able to figure out the mystery for you.

 

[brandy_z28]

I''m so excited for you glitterata! What a great find!

 

[glitterata]

Well, Harriet kindly tried to test it for me but was unable to get a clear reading--she thinks the setting was interfering with the instrument. So I will probably be sending it to Rich to get an answer to this mystery.

Harriet offered another vote for enstatite or possibly synthetic alexandrite.

Whatever it turns out to be is fine with me--I''m just bursting with curiosity!

 

[LD]

Glitterata - I may have this wrong but I think colour shift is when a gemstones moves to the next colour on the colour wheel or a similar toned colour but a colour change jumps across the colour wheel.

 

[Harriet]

Sorry, Glitterata dear. I could take a probe specimen and X-ray it for its diffraction.

 

[glitterata]

I really appreciated the attempt, Harriet. As for the offer, I don''t think I''m ready for quite that level of scrutiny...

 

[Richard Sherwood]

Hey cool, Glitterata''s sending the stone to me for ID.

I''m so excited.


Rich, excites easily...

 

[chrono]

Rich,
I don''t blame you. I can''t wait for you to get your hands on the stone and annouce to everyone what it really is.

 

[glitterata]

The package was processed through the sort facility yesterday at 8:02 PM and is on its way to Sarasota. Should be there tomorrow.

Oh, the suspense!

 

[LD]

Ooooooooooooooooh I love a good mystery! I can''t wait to hear the outcome!!!

 

[glitterata]

It was processed through the sort facility in Tampa 12 hours ago. Took them 12 hours to update the tracking site.

Ooooooo the suspense, the suspense!!!

 

[chrono]

So...Rich should have it either today or tomorrow?

 

[glitterata]

I was hoping today, but today''s almost over. So maybe tomorrow.

Then I''ll try to wait patiently for Rich to test it. Hard to imagine, but he may have other things to do besides test my little mystery stone!

 

[Richard Sherwood]

I've got watchers posted on the lookout in a three mile perimeter around Sarasota.

So far, no mystery stone.

You can cut the tension with a knife...

 

[glitterata]

It arrived at the Sarasota post office at 4:09 AM and sorting was completed at 8:47. Soon Rich''s watchers should spot the letter carrier carrying it to Rich.

 

[Kismet]

Whee! Can''t wait to see what Rich finds out about it.

 

[trishy]

this is so exciting!!!im gonna be late for work... ohhh the suspense

 

[Stone Hunter]

Well it should arrive today. But maybe the mail will be late? Hopefully it will get there by 5pm. And then maybe we''ll know by tomorrow!

 

[Catmom]

Ha ha ha, I love this thread! I can''t wait to find out what it really is. Another wonderful find glitterata!!!

 

[glitterata]

Well, according to the post office tracking site, it''s been out for delivery since 9:17 AM but not yet delivered. (Or if it has been delivered, the site hasn''t been updated to show that yet.)

I have high hopes that it will be delivered any minute now.

And once it has been, I promise I will be VERY patient until Rich has time to test it.

 

[chrono]

You might have to be patient but it doesn't meant we have to be as well.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

May I have a drum roll please...

 

[chrono]

Sorry, can''t find the drum.

 

[LD]

Drummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmming!

 

[Richard Sherwood]

IT''S A CHRYSOBERYL CATSEYE !!!


(More to follow later, I''m with a client now)

 

[chrono]

Close but no cigar for me.
Thanks, Rich!

 

[LD]

Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!

Brilliant news Rich!

Ooooo well done Glitterata! I''m very very very pleased for you.