Natural cat's eye

Cat's Eye

           There seems to be allot of different information out there on Cat's eye I've tried to generalize here on the natural gemstone Cat's eye. not the man made stone.

     

The Cat’s Eye is one of the most unique looking gemstones available and comes in many colors and sizes. If you are looking for ornamental jewelry that is unique, mystical looking and fashionable, look into the Cat’s Eye.

Cat’s Eye gets its unique look due to the presence of fibrous mineral inclusions. The fibers in a Cat’s Eye form tubes that are parallel to one another deep within the quartz stone. These fibers are not that pronounced when in a square or rectangular form, however when in a sphere or oval shape, the fibers are more pronounced and extremely fascinating to look at.

The Cat’s Eye comes in many different colors such as gray, grayish green, yellow, red, blue, brown, black and white. The luster of the Cat’s Eye gives it a chatoyant or vitreous look and it is usually opaque or translucent in transparency. The Cat’s Eye is pretty hard; measuring 7 on the Moh’s scale and the fracture should be noted as conchoidal. The Cat’s Eye is usually rounded, oval or spherish, and quite attractive on many types of ornamental jewelry.

For most Cat’s Eye lovers, it is worn on a ring, a charm or as part of a bracelet. Many people like Cat’s Eye because of its mystical qualities that are said to help the intellect, to foster wisdom and its connotation with a cat, meaning crafty or sly. If you are looking for a unique and interesting piece of ornamental jewelry, definitely consider the 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.

Translucent multi-colored stones that look like cat's eyes, they are often confused with quartz tiger's eye. It is most often referred to by the French as "oeil de chat". Chrysoberl crystals are famous for increasing personal power and deepening spirituality. They help to increase generosity and charitable behavior. This stone promotes forgiveness and offers peace of mind to those who where it. Chrysoberyl can initiate intuition and spark awareness.

Amplifies other gems energies. Some are irradiated to turn green. Trust your feeling with each stone.

Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye

About Chrysoberyl

Chrysoberyl term originates from the greek words chrysos and beryllos, meaning "a gold-white spar". Generally chrysoberyl is confused with beryl which is a completely different mineral.  Chrysoberyl is the third-hardest natural gemstone and lies between Corundum and Topaz on Moh’s Hardness scale having hardness of 8.5. Cat’s Eye or Cymophane is a gem variety of chrysoberyl which shows the optical effect known as Cat’s Eye effect or Chatoyancy.

Cause of Cat’s Eye Effect or Chatoyancy

Cat’s Eye effect is seen in chrysoberyl containing microscopic tubelike cavities or needlelike inclusions of rutile which occur parallel to the c-axis of the crystal. When these are cut en cabochon perpendicular to the c-axis, a single ray of light can be seen to move on the surface. This effect is termed as Chatoyancy. Chatoyancy comes from the French 'chat' (for cat) and 'oeil' (for eye). Chrysoberyls lacking the cat's eye effect are mostly faceted, Cat's eyes are always cut into cabochons, since only tall, rounded shapes render the line of the eye properly visible.

History of Cat’s Eye

Cat’s eye became popular since the end of the 19th century when it was given as engagement token by Duke of Connaught. This greatly increased its value as a gemstone. The increased demand in turn created an intensified search for it in Ceylon.

Cat's Eye color

The range of colors includes colorless, pink, yellow, green, blue and violet.

Ordinary chrysoberyl is yellowish-green and transparent to translucent. When the mineral exhibits good pale green to yellow color and is transparent, then it is used as a gemstone. The three main varieties of chrysoberyl are: ordinary yellow-to-green chrysoberyl, cat's eye or cymophane, and alexandrite. Yellow-green chrysoberyl was referred to as "chrysolite" during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, which caused confusion since that name has also been used for the mineral olivine ("peridot" as a gemstone); that name is no longer used in the gemological nomenclature.

Cymophane is popularly known as "cat's eye". This variety exhibits pleasing chatoyancy or opalescence that reminds one of an eye of a cat. When cut to produce a cabochon, the mineral forms a light-green specimen with a silky band of light extending across the surface of the stone.

Buying Cat's Eye

Color

A rare variety is a rich purple from Maine. Blue Brazilian stones are second in demand. A

light green variety of apatite carries the trade name "asparagus stone". The recent availability of the neon blue-green variety from Madagascar has increased the use of apatite in jewelry. The color of the best specimens of this type rivals the famed Paraiba tourmalines, but unfortunately, this gem lacks their toughness and hardness. As for any other gem, color saturation defines the value.

Lighting

Chatoyancy, the cat's eye effect, is a reflection of light by parallel fibers, needles, or channels, which resembles the slit eye of a cat. When the stone is rotated, the cat's eye glides over the surface.

Cut

The cabochon cut is excellent for a unique brooch or pendant, if its base is parallel to the fibers.

Cat's Eye gemology

Optical character:

Color of streak: White to yellow-gray

Hardness: 8.5 on Mohs scale of hardness

Index of refraction: 1.744 - 1.770

Colours: Green, Brown, Yellow. The variety Alexandrite Cat’s Eye changes color: green in daylight and red-violet in incandescent light and is very highly priced.

Pleochroism: weak, X= slightly rose, Y= greenish yellow, Z= pale green

Specific gravity: 3.68 - 3.75

The Cat's Eye

CRYSTAL MEANINGS, METAPHYSICAL & HEALING PROPERTIES  LORE OF APATITE

Cat’s Eye is an amulet used for protection against witchcraft and death. It is a generic term for any gems, which show a band of light across a cut cabochon stone. The eye phenomenon is caused by the presence of fiber inclusions within a gem and the term often misused in the

gem trade as an adjective; stones are referred as cat’s eye tourmaline, cat’s eye quartz or cat’s eye apatite, and the proper name describes Cat’s Eye Chrysoberyl or precious Cat’s Eye.

CHAKRA (S): Crown and Solar Plexus

VIBRATION: Number 6

ZODIAC: Leo

♥ Determination ♥ Strength of mind ♥ Steadfastness ♥ Willpower ♥ Moral courage ♥ Tenacity ♥ Vigour ♥ Resolve ♥ Self control ♥ Intelligence ♥ Knowledge

Natural Cat's Eye is Chrysoberyl.  It exhibits a chatoyancy which is formed from fibrous inclusions or cavities within the stone.  This chatoyancy allows the stone to resemble a cat's eye.

Zodiac - Capricorn, Taurus, Aries

Typical colours - Golden yellow, yellow with brown, green with red

Cat's Eye acts to stimulate intuition and to enhance awareness.  It is a grounding stone that provides a very effective protective energy.  Cat's Eye dispels unwanted energy from the aura.  It amplifies good luck and fortune.  Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye transforms negative thoughts into positive energy.  Cat's Eye brings happiness and serenity, along with optimism, generosity and confidence.  It can enhance creativity and kindness.  Traditionally, Cat's Eye is believed to protect the wearer from evil spirits.

Cat’s Eyes are effective protective stones and talisman. They are believed to induce positive thoughts and help promote tolerance and harmony. Also because of its golden hue, it has often been associated with wealth. Chrysoberyls are known to be associated with discipline and self-control. They are said to promote concentration and the ability to learn and to help the wearer with striving for excellence. In addition to this, they bring peace of mind; clearer thinking and increased self-confidence helping one become more understanding of the fact that they have everything they already need to succeed. It

protects the wearer from all kinds of misfortunes. This stone if it is of a good quality, can take the person to top. It can cure ailments such as heart trouble, hemorrhage and increases knowledge, longevity and strength and cures otherwise chronic and incurable diseases.

Cat's Eye treats eye disorders and improves night vision.  It relieves headaches, facial and sciatic pain.  Cat's Eye aids the nervous system and associated pains.  It can be used to heal the kidneys, pancreas, liver, lymph nodes, spleen and issues associated with leukemia.

CATS EYE: has magical properties; a grounding stone but stimulates the intuition. This mineral provides protection and dispels negative energy entering the aura and brings confidence, happiness, serenity, and good luck. Cat's Eye treats disorders of the eye and improves night vision. It relieves headaches and facial pain and can be worn on the right side of the body.

CYMOPHANE: is a form of Cat's Eye that stimulates and stabilizes the intellect and supports flexibility of mind. This stone enhances unconditional love. In healing it has been used to treat intestinal disorders, heart irregularities and night-blindness and provide relief from feminine discomforts.

Cat's Eye Care

Cat’s Eye is a hard, durable gemstone that is difficult to scratch and chip. That being said, because of its high value and rarity, caution should be taken so as to keep the stone in its original condition. Cat’s Eye is best cleaned using warm soapy water and a soft brush. Prolonged exposure to excessive amounts of heat, household chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners,

and steam cleaners should be avoided. Always store your Cat’s Eye jewelry in a fabric-lined box away from other jewelry items in order to avoid scratching.are & Cleaning

Clean with a soft polishing cloth in plain water. Commercial jewelry cleaner can damage the polish of the gem. Do not soak. Also avoid sudden temperature changes.

Tests for Identification of Real Cat's Eye

A Cat’s eye is a very hard stone and its surface can be scratched only by a Diamond or a Ruby or Sapphire. Cat’s Eye can easily scratch glass.

If a real cat's eye gemstone is put in a dark place, it shines like the eyes of a cat.

If a real cat's eye gemstone is rubbed against a cloth, its brilliance increases.

How to Wear Cat’s Eye

A cat’s eye should be set in steel or gold, or even platinum, on the small finger of the left hand, at midnight on Thursday, when the Moon is waxing. 

The stone should weigh more than three carats, but five carats or more is better.

Depending on a person’s occupation, different shades of cat’s eye should be worn. A priest, teacher, scientist, or intellectual should wear a honey yellow stone. A ruler, soldier, or

administrator should wear a honey brown stone. A businessman, farmer, or banker should wear a honey green stone. A laborer, artisan, or servant should wear a dark green stone.

Link to YouTube video of the Guinness World Records largest cat’s eye (dragon’s eye)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9lq2BhY3_0