Rare Chrysoberyl Cats Eye Ring Antique Gemstone Ancient Rome Evil Eye Amulet

Description

Antique Genuine Natural Russian One Carat “Milk and Honey” Chrysoberyl (Alexandrite) Cats Eye. Contemporary High Quality Sterling Silver Ring (Size 7 – Resizing Available).
CLASSIFICATION:
Cabochon Milk and Honey  Chrysoberyl Oval.
ORIGIN:
The Ural Mountains, Russia.  19th Century.
SIZE
:  Length:  6mm.  Width:  5mm.  Depth:  3mm.  All measurements approximate.
WEIGHT
:  0.98 carats.
NOTES
:  Resizing is available. If you would prefer a different setting style, odds are we have many different setting styles available which would fit this stone(s) which could be substituted for no or very little additional cost. 14kt solid gold settings are also available. Write us for pictures and prices.
DETAIL:
Known in the ancient Near East in Old Testament times, as well as to the ancient Persians and Romans, chrysoberyl was a highly valued gemstone in the ancient world. The ancient Persians believed that chrysoberyl could render their warriors invisible on the battlefield, and the gemstone was also used in the ancient world to ward off the adverse influences of “the evil eye”, reflecting the ancient belief that some evil sorcerers or witches had the ability to transmit evil with just a glance. Chrysoberyl was also treasured throughout Asia even before the birth of Christ, and was quite well known in Rome no later than by the end of the First Century A.D. Chrysoberyl gemstones (particularly cat’s-eye) originated in ancient India where they were a very important trade good, exported overland via the “Silk Route”.
Celebrating this cultural legacy here's an exquisite and incredibly richly colored precious gemstone with lots of depth and gorgeous tone.  The “eye” is very sharply defined, razor sharp, and which truly looks like a feline eye.  The color is a very rich (dark) honey or (medium) amber with very distinct citrus/lime colored undertones.  This particular color is known in the industry as “milk and honey”.  Both the green and “milk and honey” varities of chrysoberyl cats eye were considered for over a century the very best chrysoberyl in the world, but in the past few decades it has become mostly played out.  This is a very nice specimen representative of better quality “milk and honey” chrysoberyl.   The setting is of contemporary origin.  It is a high quality setting manufactured by one of the USA’s leading semi-custom mount producers.  It is constructed of solid sterling silver.  We do have the ability to have the ring sent out for resizing if requested.  Additionally, if preferred, the mounting is also available in 14kt solid gold.
Good quality green cats eye semi-precious gemstones are in high demand, and can be quite costly.  In fact, at retail green cats eye chrysoberyl generally costs more than alexandrite cats eye – the main principal differences are less (or no) color change but generally higher quality; chrysoberyl compared to alexandrite.  The Southern Ural Mountains of Russia have been producing high value, naturally colored green and honey colored chrysoberyl cats eye for well over a century.  Under magnification the gemstone shows the unmistakable characteristics of having been hand crafted.
The coarseness of the 19th century finish is considered appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered a detriment, or detract from the value of a gemstone.  In fact most serious collectors consider such gemstones more desirable, possessed of greater character and uniqueness when compared to today's cookie-cutter mass-produced machine-tumbled gemstones.  Unlike today’s computer controlled machine produced gemstones, the cut and finish of a gemstone such as this is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago.
Cat's-eye chrysoberyl has a distinct band of light across its face which sweeps from side to side.  It is the magnetic alignment of tiny included particles which create the catseye.  No included material (i.e., a transparent gemstone) would generally preclude a catseye.  So while this gemstone has great luster and sparkle, it is not absolutely flawless.  There are slight imperfections (included material) within the gemstone and occasional irregularities in the cut and finish.  But these characteristics are an inherent feature of cats eye chrysoberyl.  As well these characteristics are also expected of hand-finished gemstones.
As might be expected under magnification the gemstone shows the unmistakable, hallmark characteristics of having been hand crafted. The coarseness of the 19th century finish is considered desirable to most gemstone aficionados, and is not considered a detriment, or detract from the value of a gemstone. These characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, many believe that such antique hand-crafted gemstones possess much greater character and appeal than today's mass-produced, laser-cut gemstones. Unlike today’s computer controlled machine produced gemstones that approach flawlessness in a perfect finish, the cut and finish of an antique, handcrafted gemstone such as this is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago.
Handcrafted though it may be the gemstone has great luster, and to the eye is without blemish, but that is not to suggest that it is absolutely without flaw. As you can see in the accompanying photo enlargements, there are a number of seams of colorless crystalline material running through the gemstone. Of course it is the alignment of colorless crystals within the gemstone which creates the cat's-eye effect, so it is not unusual to find more prominent crystalline features within the gemstone; and this gemstone, like most chrysoberyl, does display visible colorless crystalline material. However to the cursory inspection of the casual admirer, the gemstone does appear without discernible blemish. And of course if inspected intently, one can see these very slight imperfections within the gemstone, as well as occasional irregularities in the cut and finish.
Naturally these characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished, antique gemstones of natural origin, you must also consider that two centuries ago the mining techniques even theoretically possible, let alone commonly practiced, did not allow the ultra deep mining operations which are so commonplace today. Two centuries ago mankind was more or less limited to surface deposits or near surface deposits of gemstones. Higher quality gemstones which today are routinely mined from beneath hundreds of meters, even kilometers beneath the earth's surface, were simply inaccessible then.
It is precisely for these reasons antique, natural gemstones must be appreciated as antiques first, gemstones second. The relatively superlative quality of contemporary gemstones mined from deep beneath the earth's surface were simply not accessible two centuries ago, or at least, only rarely so. However for most, the unique nature and character of these antique gemstones more than makes up for the blemishes found within the gemstones, as well as the cutting and finishing irregularities common to handcrafted gemstones, all of which are by and large are only visible under magnification.
CHRYSOBERYL HISTORY
: Chrysoberyl color ranges from a honey-yellow to yellow-green to an apple green to brown. Generally the yellow, green, and yellow-greenish-gold specimens are considered the most valued, the least valued being the brown. Though the largest deposits of this gemstone are in South Africa, with smaller deposits in Australia, Burma, and India; the most valued deposits, almost exhausted, are those from the Ural Mountains in Russia, specifically those around the city of Yekaterinburg, in the South Urals.
Some of the more noteworthy specimens include the incredible 563ct Star of India which resides in the American Museum of Natural History, and has a recorded history from the sixteenth century. It was mined in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and circulated among various Indian princes and kings for almost four hundred years, before being acquired by George Kunz, the noted American gemologist. Probably the finest cut chrysoberyl existing is probably the one exhibited in the Mineral Gallery of the British Museum (Natural History). Absolutely flawless and weighing 43 carats, it was formerly contained in the famous Hope collection.
The name Chrysoberyl is derived from the Greek words “Beryl”, meaning green and “Chryso”, meaning golden. The two words combined mean “gold colored beryl”. In spite what the name implies, chrysoberyl is not actually a Beryl at all. The gemstone was a very important trade good in ancient India, and was exported to and found enormous popularity in many Asian cultures. Chrysoberyls have long been considered a good luck charm in numerous cultures. It was treasured in Asia before the birth of Christ, was well-known in the ancient Near East in Old Testament times, and became quite well known in Rome by the end of the First Century A.D.
The ancients believed that it would improve eyesight and to protect against evil. The ancient Persians and Arabs believed it could make one invisible on the battlefield. Chrysoberyl cat’s-eye gemstones were also worn in the Near East (as well as elsewhere in the ancient world) as protection against the “evil eye”. There was an ancient belief that some evil sorcerers or witches had the ability to transmit evil with just a glance. Certain items of personal adornment (amulets, talismans, etc.) were thought to protect the wearer from the "evil eye" by the proviso of an always watchful open eye and a chrysoberyl cat’s-eye gemstone was just that, an always open and watchful “eye”. Chrysoberyl was also very popular in Victorian and Edwardian times, when it was often inaccurately referred to as Chrysolite.
SHIPPING & RETURNS/REFUNDS
:  Your purchase will ordinarily be shipped within 48 hours of payment. We package as well as anyone in the business, with lots of protective padding and containers. All of our shipments are fully insured against loss, and our shipping rates include the cost of this coverage (through stamps.com, Shipsaver.com, the USPS, UPS, or Fed-Ex). International tracking is provided free by the USPS for certain countries, other countries are at additional cost.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASES
do receive a
VERY LARGE
discount, typically about per item so as to reward you for the economies of combined shipping/insurance costs. We do offer U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail, Registered Mail, and Express Mail for both international and domestic shipments, as well United Parcel Service (UPS) and Federal Express (Fed-Ex). Please ask for a rate quotation. We will accept whatever payment method you are most comfortable with.
If upon receipt of the item you are disappointed for any reason whatever, I offer a no questions asked 30-day return policy. Send it back, I will give you a complete refund of the purchase price; 1) less our original shipping/insurance costs, 2) less non-refundable PayPal/eBay payment processing fees.  Please note that PayPal does NOT refund fees. Even if you “accidentally” purchase something and then cancel the purchase before it is shipped, PayPal will not refund their fees. So all refunds for any reason, without exception, do not include PayPal/eBay payment processing fees (typically between 3% and 5%) and shipping/insurance costs (if any). If you’re unhappy with PayPal and eBay’s “no fee refund” policy, and we are EXTREMELY unhappy, please voice your displeasure by contacting PayPal and/or eBay. We have no ability to influence, modify or waive PayPal or eBay policies.
ABOUT US
: Prior to our retirement we used to travel to Europe and Central Asia several times a year. Most of the items we offer came from acquisitions we made in Eastern Europe, India, and from the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean/Near East) during these years from various institutions and dealers. Much of what we generate on Etsy, Amazon and Ebay goes to support The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, as well as some other worthy institutions in Europe and Asia connected with Anthropology and Archaeology. Though we have a collection of ancient coins numbering in the tens of thousands, our primary interests are ancient jewelry and gemstones. Prior to our retirement we traveled to Russia every year seeking antique gemstones and jewelry from one of the globe’s most prolific gemstone producing and cutting centers, the area between Chelyabinsk and Yekaterinburg, Russia. From all corners of Siberia, as well as from India, Ceylon, Burma and Siam, gemstones have for centuries gone to Yekaterinburg where they have been cut and incorporated into the fabulous jewelry for which the Czars and the royal families of Europe were famous for.
My wife grew up and received a university education in the Southern Urals of Russia, just a few hours away from the mountains of Siberia, where alexandrite, diamond, emerald, sapphire, chrysoberyl, topaz, demantoid garnet, and many other rare and precious gemstones are produced. Though perhaps difficult to find in the USA, antique gemstones are commonly unmounted from old, broken settings – the gold reused – the gemstones recut and reset.  Before these gorgeous antique gemstones are recut, we try to acquire the best of them in their original, antique, hand-finished state – most of them centuries old. We believe that the work created by these long-gone master artisans is worth protecting and preserving rather than destroying this heritage of antique gemstones by recutting the original work out of existence. That by preserving their work, in a sense, we are preserving their lives and the legacy they left for modern times. Far better to appreciate their craft than to destroy it with modern cutting.
Not everyone agrees – fully 95% or more of the antique gemstones which come into these marketplaces are recut, and the heritage of the past lost. But if you agree with us that the past is worth protecting, and that past lives and the produce of those lives still matters today, consider buying an antique, hand cut, natural gemstone rather than one of the mass-produced machine cut (often synthetic or “lab produced”) gemstones which dominate the market today. We can set most any antique gemstone you purchase from us in your choice of styles and metals ranging from rings to pendants to earrings and bracelets; in sterling silver, 14kt solid gold, and 14kt gold fill.  When you purchase from us, you can count on quick shipping and careful, secure packaging. We would be happy to provide you with a certificate/guarantee of authenticity for any item you purchase from us. There is a fee for mailing under separate cover. I will always respond to every inquiry whether via email or eBay message, so please feel free to write.