A chrysoberyl like a cat's eye
When the gemstone industry talks about a cat's eye, it usually means a chrysoberyl with a cat's eye. However, you can also buy other gemstones with a cat's eye. In the case of chrysoberyl, however, this effect is most dominant. With all other gemstones, however, it must be stated that it is, for example, a cat's eye quartz or a cat's eye aquamarine.
A gemstone with a cat's eye is visually similar to a cat's eye. It is also referred to as “chatoyance” or “chatoyant”, which means something like a cat's eye effect. Like a cat's pupil in daylight, the gemstone also has a fine line. This is caused by needle-shaped inclusions.
Such an inclusion can increase the value of a chrysoberyl. However, a clear alexandrite usually fetches a higher price. Alexandrite is the second best-known chrysoberyl after the cat's eye.
The color of cat's eye
Chrysoberyls with a cat's eye can be yellow, green or brown. The colors range from light honey yellow to olive green and warm browns. Unlike other chrysoberyls, the cat's eye is not transparent, but opaque.
Origin: Cat's eyes mainly come from Sri Lanka
Cat's eyes are mainly mined in Sri Lanka. They can also be found wherever chrysoberyls are found. These include Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Russia, Tanzania, Madagascar, Brazil, Myanmar, Australia and the USA.
Use: cat's eye for jewelry
If you buy a cat's eye from the IGNEOUS gemstone shop, you can have beautiful pieces of jewelry made from it. Cat's eyes are particularly popular for pendants on necklaces. However, they also look good on rings or bracelets. For this, you can set the stone in silver, white or yellow gold. A combination with small diamonds is also possible.
You can wear such a piece of jewelry yourself on various occasions, or give it as a special jewelry gift.
Durable gemstones with high hardness
Chrysoberyl is particularly suitable for processing into jewelry due to its high hardness. On the Mohs hardness scale, these stones achieve a hardness of 8.5. This means that they are very robust and durable. Only corundum sapphire and ruby (hardness rating of 9) and diamonds (hardness rating of 10) are harder.
Most common cuts
While transparent chrysoberyls are usually faceted, cat's eyes are always cut into round or oval cabochons. The cat's eye is only visible through the cabochon cut.
