Antique, Victorian, 9ct Gold Cat's Eye Chrysoberyl and Pearl Cluster Ring

This is a really wonderful Victorian, antique 'cat's-eye' chrysoberyl and seed pearl cluster ring.

It features a central round chrysoberyl cabochon surrounded by 12 lustrious seed pearls  which sit atop a beautifully decorated gallery.

The chrysoberyl itself is a great size, and in extremely good condition, with wonderful chatoyancy (cat's eye) and has a slight change in colour from a milky grey/green to a more yellow/green under different light intensities.

This antique ring sits comfortably on the finger and is currently a UK size O (US size 7 1/4) but it could be re-sized by your local jeweller.

The name chrysoberyl is derived from Ancient Greek and is translated as ‘gold beryl'.)  This beautiful and unusual gem is extremely valuable due to its rarity, and its chatoyance.   With a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale, it is also one of the hardest and most durable gemstones.  

Chrysoberyl is known as a stone of good fortune that brings happiness and the power to protect against evil.  (It has been said that arabs once believed that the stone made one invisible on the battlefield!)  

As with most antique items, this ring is delicate and should be treated with care. I would not advise wearing it every day, and i would encourage the wearer to remove it before washing up, doing contact sports etc.