Stone 09 · Gemstone guide
Cat's Eye
Lehsunia · Vaidurya
The unqualified trade name cat's eye refers to chrysoberyl showing chatoyancy, a moving band of reflected light produced by aligned inclusions. Other chatoyant materials should be named with their species, such as quartz cat's eye.
Gemological register
- Mineral
- Chrysoberyl
- Composition
- Beryllium aluminium oxide
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Mohs hardness
- 8.5
- Refractive index
- About 1.746 to 1.755
- Specific gravity
- About 3.71 to 3.75
Colour
Colour is a range, not a shorthand.
Chrysoberyl cat's eye commonly appears yellowish green, greenish yellow, honey or brownish. Body colour, translucency and the contrast of the eye are evaluated together.
Clarity and character
Read inclusions in context.
Aligned inclusions create the eye and are essential to the phenomenon. The band should travel across the cabochon under a moving point light, while fractures and cavities are assessed separately.
Treatment disclosure
Ask what changed and how it was detected.
Routine enhancement is uncommon, but dyeing, coating, filling, assembled stones and chatoyant imitations can occur. The report should confirm both chrysoberyl identity and the natural origin of the phenomenon.
Setting practice
The mount answers the material.
The cabochon must be oriented so the eye runs cleanly across its dome. A close bezel can protect the edge, but the setter should not conceal the base needed for inspection.
Care
Care follows the individual record.
Use warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid sudden heat and ultrasonic cleaning when fractures or inclusions raise durability concerns.
Sourcing questions
Questions worth carrying to the desk.
- 01Does the report identify chrysoberyl rather than another chatoyant material?
- 02Is the eye produced by natural inclusions?
- 03Are fillings, coatings or assembled components present?
- 04How does the band move in ordinary directional light?
Kundali note
Chrysoberyl cat's eye is traditionally associated with Ketu in Jyotish. IshaRa treats this as a considered cultural consultation and makes no promise about an outcome.
Traditional association and gemological assessment remain distinct parts of a conversation. No material is presented as an outcome guarantee.
Read the consultation process →Individual assessment
Ask about a stone, setting or record.
Bring the object, report language or sourcing question you want to study. The next step is a direct conversation.
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