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The Gemstone Cat's Eye
Cat's Eye describes a gemstone polished into a
cabochon
that displays a narrow band of concentrated light going accross the width of the stone. This effect, known as
chatoyancy
, or
cat's eye effect
, is caused by
inclusions
of fine, slender parallel mineral
fibers
in the gemstone that reflect light in a single band. Of all the gemstones that exhibit cat's eye,
Chrysoberyl
Cat's Eye is the best known. Chrysoberyl has the strongest and most distinct cat's eye effect of all gemstones. Though several different gemstones types exhibit a cat's eye effect, only Chrysoberyl's cat's eye enjoys the privilege of having the name "Cat's Eye" without any prefix. Whenever the term "Cat's Eye" is used, it refers to Chrysoberyl cat's eye by default, unless otherwise specified.
Chemical Formula
BeAl
2
O
4
Color
Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Pink, Purple, Gray, Multicolored
Hardness
8.5
Crystal System
Orthorhombic
Refractive Index
1.744 - 1.755
SG
3.5 - 3.8
Transparency
Translucent
Double Refraction
.009
Luster
Vitreous
Cleavage
1,1 ; 3,2
Mineral Class
Chrysoberyl
Cat's Eye
AUCTIONS
ALL ABOUT
The intensity of Cat's Eye can vary from strong to weak. The clarity and intensity of the cat's eye band will play an important role in the value of a Cat's Eye gemstone. A bright and straight light effect is the most desired, and when strong and perfect it will be highly valued. In some forms of Chrysoberyl, the cat's eye effect is weak, appearing only as a billowy, floating light reflection as opposed to a bright, concentrated band of light. Such Chrysoberyl is known as
Cymophane
, and the effect is called
cymophane effect
.
USES
Cat's Eye is
polished
into
cabochon
s, and is used most often in rings and pendants.
FALSE NAMES
All non-Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye gemstones are associated together with their gemstone name. However, some unscrupulous dealers may label less expensive forms of Cat's Eye simply as Cat's Eye without specifying the gemstone type, and one should always be aware of this.
Cat's Eye
TREATMENTS AND ENHANCEMENTS
Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye is not treated or enhanced.
Cat's Eye
SOURCES
Cat's Eye sources are in Brazil, India, China, and Zimbabwe.
SIMILAR GEMSTONES
Other Cat's Eye gemstones include
Cat's Eye Tourmaline
,
Cat's Eye Quartz
,
Cat's Eye Aquamarine
,
Cat's Eye Moonstone
, Cat's Eye Apatite, and Cat's Eye Scapolite. Of all these other Cat's Eye Gemstones, Chrysoberyl has the greatest hardness.
Cat's Eye
PHOTOS
[Click photos for more details]
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The mineral Chrysoberyl
The gemstone Chrysoberyl
DISCUSSION
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