Cat's eye jewelry is very fascinating since the gemstone
possesses a unique effect that resembles the slit eye of a cat. This effect in
cat's eye jewelry is caused by the reflection of light within tiny parallel
fibers. This is technically called chatoyancy. True cat's eye jewelry is
created with a variety of chrysoberyl, the third hardest of all minerals. This
is also the same mineral from which alexandrite comes. Cat's eye jewelry is
often made using cabochon cut specimens in order to accentuate its unique
characteristic.
The optimum color for cat's eye jewelry is a honey-brown.
Light striking the stone usually creates a shadow effect within the gem, such
that the side away from the light is a rich brown hue and the side facing the
light is a milky-white color. True chrysoberyl cat's eye, not to be confused
with quartz cat's eye, may also exhibit apple green and dark green background
colors. There are also synthetic fiberglass versions often made into beads and
used for cat's eye jewelry.
The Mohr's scale of hardness classifies genuine cat's eye as
8.5. It is recommended not to clean your cat's eye jewelry with abrasive gem
cleaner, but to use a polishing cloth instead.
