CAT'S EYE

4.50 ct. cat's eye chrysoberyl and emerald ring in 14K white gold
Cat's eye chrysoberyl and emerald ring in 14K white gold
Variety:  Cat's Eye
Species:  Chrysoberyl
Mohs Hardness:  8.5 out of 10
Color:  Yellow to yellowish green, grayish green, brown to brownish yellow, with chatoyancy
RI:  1.746 to 1.755 (+0.004 / -0.006) (1.75 spot reading common)
Birefringence:  0.008 to 0.010
SR/DR/AGG:  DR (AGG reaction possible)
Optic Character:  Biaxial positive
Pleochroism:  Light to medium tones of the gem's bodycolor in semi-transparent stones
Spectrum:  Strong band at 444nm
Fluorescence:  Usually inert
SG:  3.73 (+/- 0.02)
Routine Treatments:  None
Additional Enhancements:  Dyeing

Cat's Eye Facts

4.50 ct. cat's eye chrysoberyl and emerald ring in 14K white gold
Cat's eye chrysoberyl and emerald ring in 14K white gold
4.50 ct. cat's eye chrysoberyl and emerald ring in 14K white gold
Cat's eye chrysoberyl and emerald ring in 14K white gold

Cat's eye chrysoberyl possesses a rare phenomena known as chatoyancy.

Cat's eye occurs in many different colors and is identified by its narrow slit that resembles a feline's pupils.

The cat's eye effect is due to many parallel, fibrous needle inclusions that scatter and reflect light back in a thin band.

​Although several different gems can display a cat's eye effect, cat's eye chrysoberyl is the only gem that can be referred to as simply "cat's eye" without a modifier.