History & Introduction
The name Cat's eye comes from the feature displayed by this stone known as chatoyancy,
which in French literally means “cat's eye”. In gemmological parlance, chatoyancy
refers to an optical effect (a reflectance of sorts) that is seen in a few natural
gemstones. After the chatoyant chrysoberyl is cut with a cabochon (domed surface),
it shows a streak of light running in length from each of the end of the stones.
These stones are termed as cymophane or cat's eye chrysoberyl.
It is available mainly in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and Brazil, this gemstone shows chatoyancy
in yellow, white, greyish- green, greenish-yellow. In fact you need to look out
for cat's eye stones having a spot in the crystal, pale colour, cracks, stains or
holes. With a cat's eye in hand, you can see a silver lining under direct sun or
lamp light. The cat's eye effect is seen with a number of other gemstones like tanzanite,
emerald, scapolite and aquamarine.
It is a believed that the wearer of cat's eye gemstone make the wearer wealthy and
happiness in matters related to children too. This gemstone is considered to very
quick acting gemstone, it is always advisable to use it after a trial. The users
also need to be wary of dull stones that could signify bad health even spotted stones
that shows enemy trouble. It is even said to improve the stamina, happiness and
radiance. When evaluating the Opal Cat's Eye the important point to remember is
the strength and sharpness of the eye. There is a fine line running through the
eye of the stone, it is then distinct and easily recognized. Including to this,
the body colour along with the quality of the play of colour is shown with the stone
are also important factors that have an important effect on value, making pricing
complex.
Among the finer gemstones, cat's eye tourmaline is tend to be available pink as
green colour and in larger sizes also not uncommon. The popular is the tiger's eye
available in gold-yellow and gold-brown, at first it is formed in to fibrous blue
mineral known as crocidolite that is formed with iron and sodium. The crocidolite,
then slowly is transformed into quartz while maintaining its fibrous formations.
Cat's Eye describes a gemstone polished into a cabochon that shows a narrow band
of concentrated light going across the width of the stone. This effect is called
chatoyancy, or cat's eye effect because of inclusions of fine, slim parallel mineral
fibers in the gemstone reflecting light in a single band. Among the gemstones that
show cat's eye, Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye is popular one. The intensity of Cat's Eye
varies from strong to weak. The clarity as well as the intensity of the cat's eye
band will play an important role in the value of a Cat's Eye gemstone. The effect
of bright and straight light is maximum desired, and when strong and perfect it
will be highly treasured. In some forms of Chrysoberyl, the cat's eye effect is
weak that look like a billowy, floating light reflection as opposed to a bright
with a concentrated band of light. Such Chrysoberyl is termed with Cymophane, and
cymophane effect is termed as the effect.
Availability - Cat's Eye sources are in Brazil, India, China, and
Zimbabwe.
Usages - Cat's Eye is polished into cabochons, and is used most
often in rings and pendants.
Buying Guide
Colour - In case of the softer gemstones, the cat's eye effect
is frequently available in the gemstone apatite, in golden colour somewhat reminiscent
of chrysoberyl. The other colours available are colourless, green, pink, blue, yellow
and violet. The effect of cat's eye is seen in a number of other varieties of gems,
however very rarely. They are emerald, iolite (also known as cordierite), tanzanite,
aquamarine, andalusite and scapolite. These items are considered to be real collectors
if you can find them.
Cut and Lustre - Opal Cat's Eyes are most commonly and almost exclusively
cut into cabochons. The reason is due to the tall, round cut is needed to maximize
the striking Cat's Eye effect most brilliantly.
Chrysoberyl cat's eye belongs to the same family as the rare alexandrite. Since
chrysoberyl is a very hard stone this makes it suitable for all kinds of jewellery.
Opal Cat's Eyes are sometimes impregnated with colourless plastic in order to improve
and enhance durability.
Among the gemstones showing the special optical phenomena, in part because the effect
is available in various kinds of gem varieties. Chatoyancy is the technical term
for the cat's eye effect, comes from the French word denoting eye of the cat ("oeil
de chat").
The effect of the stone resembles like the slit eye of a cat. The effect is caused
because of the reflection of light with parallel fibres, needles or even channels
in the gemstone. Commonly, the gemstone requires to be cut en cabochon with the
base in parallel with the fibres to show this effect. When the gem is rotated, the
cat's eye appears to glide over the surface.
Treatment - Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye is not treated or improved.
Gemmological - Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye is not treated or improved.
Gemmological Characteristics: