Cat's eye gemstones display chatoyancy,a sharp band of light that sweeps across the stone like the slit pupil of a cat. This mesmerizing optical effect is caused by parallel needle-like inclusions reflecting light. Chrysoberyl cat's eye is the most prized and valuable.
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Submit a requestChatoyancy occurs when parallel fibrous inclusions reflect a concentrated band of light. Chrysoberyl cat's eye from Sri Lanka is the "king" of cat's eyes,showing a sharp, silvery-white eye on a honey to yellowish-green body. Other cat's eye gems include tourmaline, apatite, and sillimanite.
The finest cat's eyes show a sharp, well-centered, bright eye that opens and closes dramatically with movement. Body color, eye sharpness, and the "milk and honey" effect (two-tone color split by the eye) determine value.
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