10 interesting facts about Cat's eye
- Translucent yellowish chatoyant chrysoberyl is called cymophane or cat's eye.
- The mineral chrysoberyl is found in transparent yellow to greenish yellow color, but two other varieties are widely known as gemstones: cat's eye and alexandrite.
- Although other minerals such as tourmaline, scapolite, corundum, spinel and quartz can form "cat's eye" stones similar in appearance t
o cymophane, the jewelry industry designates these stones as "quartz cat's eyes", or "ruby cat's eyes" and only chrysoberyl can be referred to as "cat's eye" with no other designation. - Cymophane has its derivation also from the Greek words meaning 'wave' and 'appearance', in reference to the chatoyancy sometimes exhibited.
- The variety of chrysoberyl containing rutile needles or negative crystals oriented in the same direction showing some exceptional and sharp chatoyancy is called cat's eye. This optical phenomenon produces the appearance of the likeness of a cat's contracted pupil in the stone.
- Gems lacking the silky inclusions required to produce the cat's eye effect are usually faceted.
- Chatoyancy may occur in any color of the chrysoberyl but the most highly prized is the slightly greenish yellow or brownish yellow, a color similar to honey.
- Cat's eye really became popular by the end of the 19th century when the Duke of Connaught gave a ring with a cat's eye as an engagement token, this was sufficient to make the stone more popular and increase its value greatly.
- In the Orient, cat's eye is highly revered as a preserver of good fortune, the belief being that it guards the owner's wealth and it protects him from poverty. In Sri Lanka cat's eye was considered to be a potent charm against evil spirits.
- Early 20th century prices could go up as high as $8000 for a cut stone.
