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Cymophane

Cymophane has its derivation also from the Greek words meaning 'wave' and 'appearance', in reference to the chatoyancy sometimes exhibited. An opalescent variety of Chrysoberyl. Exhibits a bluish (or yellowish according to other sources) chatoyancy which is caused by microscopic tube-like cavities or needle-like inclusions of rutile in an orientation parallel to the c-axis.
General Information
A variety or type of:Chrysoberyl
Chemical Formula
BeAl
 
2
O
 
4
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Cymophane Treatments
Irradiation of light variety produces dark (olive)-brown color: may be radioactive. - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 3
Physical Properties of Cymophane
Mohs Hardness8.5
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Specific Gravity3.69 to 3.81
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Optical Properties of Cymophane
Refractive Index1.739 to 1.770+
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Optical CharacterBiaxial/+,-
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Birefringence0.007 to 0.013
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
ChatoyancyBluish (or yellowish according to other sources) chatoyancy
Gemdat.org, Management Team (2012)
Colour
Colour (General)Yellow, green
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
TransparencyTransparent,Translucent
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
LustreVitreous
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
Crystallography of Cymophane
Crystal SystemOrthorhombic
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Inclusions in Cymophane
Microscopic tube-like cavities or needle-like inclusions of rutile in an orientation parallel to the c-axis - mindat.org
Further Information
Mineral information:Cymophane information at mindat.org
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